Halton police has made a pair of arrests and laid multiple charges after a “re-vinning” investigation in Oakville.
On August 23 members of the 2 District (Oakville) Auto team executed a number of search warrants in Oakville in relation to an auto theft investigation. As a result of the warrants, a 2021 re-vinned Ford Explorer was recovered. This was the fourth stolen vehicle recovered during the four-month long investigation (total value of the vehicles is approx. $250,000).
Police investigation determined the accused was registering stolen vehicles using fictious or cloned VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers) with the MTO.
On August 23, investigators made two arrests.
Bassam Abualkhair (42) of Oakville was arrested and faces several charges including Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 (5 counts) and Tampering with Vehicle Identification Number (2 counts)
Rawan Iskandarani (39) of Oakville was also arrested and charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
Both accused were released from custody pending a court appearance.
VIN cloning takes place when a suspect copies the identity of a car and attaches it to another vehicle. The “cloned” VIN is often attached to a stolen vehicle. In these cases, the VIN installed by the manufacturer is removed and replaced with the “cloned” VIN from a second vehicle. The cloned or second VIN is a valid and genuine number from a vehicle that is of a similar make and model to the stolen vehicle.
Police say there are some measures that residents can take to decrease the chance of the vehicle being stolen:
- Park your vehicle in a locked garage
- Block the exit of a potential target vehicle with a second vehicle parked behind it
- Install an on-board diagnostic blocker/protector
- Install a steering wheel lock device
- Install an aftermarket GPS tracking device
- Install home security cameras on the exterior of the residence
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
