Peel Regional Police say investigators have recovered about $800,000 worth of stolen vehicles and laid 30 charges against six people after uncovering an alleged violent carjacking network tied to the Greater Toronto Area and overseas vehicle shipments.
Police said the arrests came through Project Stratis, an investigation led by the Central Robbery Bureau into a string of violent, armed carjackings reported between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1 across Peel Region and the broader GTA. Investigators allege the suspects targeted high-end vehicles, mainly Mercedes-Benz models, before arranging for the stolen cars to be re-vinned, resold, or shipped to Ghana.
Eight stolen vehicles were recovered during the investigation. Officers also seized two replica firearms.
Peel police said the recovered vehicles were found in storage lockers, an auto body shop, and sea containers. Investigators worked with Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency to execute several search warrants.
Police said intelligence shared by the CBSA played a key role in the case. Two of the accused were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport while allegedly trying to board a flight to Ghana.
Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the investigation shows the impact of coordinated police work against organized auto crime.
“Violent, armed carjackings and auto theft do more than steal property — they disrupt lives and take away a person’s sense of safety. No one should have to experience that. We have made significant progress in targeting these crimes and disrupting organized auto theft networks in our communities, and Project Stratis is another example of this critical work.”
CBSA officials also said the case highlights how border intelligence supports local criminal investigations.
“Project Stratis is another example of how the CBSA supports local law enforcement in their criminal investigations. CBSA Intelligence Officers and Border Services Officers supported this operation by locating marine containers suspected to contain stolen vehicles and sharing information that allowed Peel Regional Police to execute search warrants and locate suspects before they attempted to flee the country. Together, we disrupt, investigate, and prosecute those involved in organized crime,” said Abeid Morgan, Acting Director of Intelligence and Investigations Operations Division, Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency.
Those charged are Rainer Fernando, 37, of Toronto; Steven Walsom-Gerigs, 36, of Mount Forest; Matthew Hymers, 21, of Listowel; Bradley Walsom, 38, of Brampton; Steven (Gisselle) Lopez, 22, of Toronto; and Samson Igbasan, 20, of Toronto.
Fernando faces robbery, conspiracy, possession of property obtained by crime, and laundering proceeds of crime charges. Walsom-Gerigs faces multiple robbery, conspiracy, disguise with intent, possession, and laundering charges. Hymers also faces robbery-related conspiracy and property crime charges. Bradley Walsom, Lopez, and Igbasan are each charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
Peel police said auto theft across the region is down 20 per cent compared with the same time last year, while carjackings have dropped 79 per cent. Police added that more than $10 million worth of stolen vehicles has been recovered so far this year.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Peel Regional Police’s Central Robbery Bureau or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously.
