Criminal network tied to towing industry used violence, extortion: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say they shut down an alleged tow truck organized crime ring that used violence, extortion and intimidation. Police said the seizure of 18 tow trucks totalled $2.8 million and that officers targeted the Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside towing companies. Officers arrested 18 suspects, and seized a small cache of weapons, including a crossbow, a Taser, baseball bats, $45,000 in cash and two bullet proof vests — one sporting a front patch identifier that read “Police.” “Our investigators identified a specific Brampton-based group believed to be behind a significant proportion of these crimes,” alleged Lorette. “As well, as offences in the towing industry.” He added the investigation, which focused on the towing industry in Brampton and Mississauga, allowed police to “target a group and disrupt and dismantle its operations.” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown thanked police who executed 67 arrest warrants in the GTA. The allegations against the suspects have not been tested in court.
