A 43-year-old man has been arrested after a lengthy investigation into a suspected chop-shop operation in Burlington.
Halton Regional Police say a search warrant was executed on Sept. 20 at Empire Auto Parts on Brant St. and, with the assistance of Equite Association (formerly Insurance Bureau of Canada), investigators spent three days combing through the large two-story warehouse to identify allegedly stolen parts and vehicles.
Approximately 70 stolen vehicles have been identified through engines, transmissions, hoods and doors, police allege.
All identifiable vehicle parts have been seized and transported to a secure location.
The estimated value of the parts seized is $350,000 and the value of the original vehicles is more than $2.5 million.
Police seized 28 fully-intact, high-end vehicle engines; 15 vehicle transmissions; 16 sets of vehicle doors; 19 vehicle hoods; and a skid steer.
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A suspect was taken into custody.
Ismet Bajcinca, of Hamilton, is charged with trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5000, four counts possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, tampering with vehicle identification number, possession of a controlled substance.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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