(WOODBRIDGE, ON) - An individual is facing charges following the execution of four search warrants in the Greater Toronto Area.
In late 2024, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team began an investigation into individuals allegedly involved in auto theft and the export of stolen vehicles.
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, four search warrants were executed in Toronto, Vaughan, Woodbridge and Etobicoke by members from:
- OPP PATT Team
- OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
- OPP Community Street Crime Units
- OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
- OPP Emergency Response Team
- OPP Aviation Unit
- OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit
- Mississauga OPP Detachment
- Canada Border Services Agency
- York Regional Police (YRP)
As a result of the execution of search warrants, officers seized the following items:
- Key programmers
- Approximately $30,000 CAD
- A re-VINned vehicle
- Two vehicles as offence-related property
- Various Ontario licence platees
As a result, Toma QASHA, age 27 of North York, has been charged with the following Criminal Code (CC) offences:
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, s. 355.2 CC
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, s. 354(1)(a) CC
- Conspiracy to traffic motor vehicles, s. 465 CC
- Theft of motor vehicle, s. 333.1 CC
The accused was remanded into custody and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket at a later date.
During the execution of the search warrants, two individuals fled from police. Arrest warrants have been issued.
ABOUT THE PATT TEAM
While vehicle theft is not new, the levels of violence, intimidation and incidents involving firearms used to steal vehicles represents a new and evolving threat to public safety. With the support of the Government of Ontario and our partners, the PATT Team leads proactive, intelligence-based organized crime investigations, bringing charges against those responsible for serious vehicle crimes and violence within the towing industry. PATT Team partners include the Brantford Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Sûreté du Québec, Toronto Police Service, Windsor Police Service and YRP.