Tow truck turf war leads to hundreds of charges including first degree murder

Hundreds of charges have been laid by York Regional Police Organized Crime and Intelligence Services following an investigation into a tow truck turf war in the GTA.

According to investigators, the Greater Toronto Area “has been the scene of violence between rival tow truck companies who have been fighting over financial profits from the towing of vehicles and, the most significant source of profit, the frauds following the initial tow.”

They say that the competition for control of the towing market has resulted in murders, attempted murders, assaults, arsons, threats, and property damage.

Earlier this year, in February, York Regional Police, working with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) launched a joint-forces investigation dubbed Project Platinum.

The ongoing investigation has identified several organized crime groups working within the towing industry who have used violence and property damage as a means to gain control and territory within the industry.

York Regional Police

Investigators revealed that Paramount Towing, owned by Alexander Vinogradsky, and other rival towing groups have been defrauding insurance companies with cars involved in “staged collisions.”

The tow companies allegedly partnered with auto repair shops, as well as car and truck rental companies, to carry out their frauds.

“Insurance companies worked to mitigate the fraud and additional costs to the consumer and actively pursued legal action against various tow companies,” said police in a release.

“One law firm, Carr Law, which had been located in the City of Vaughan and was hired by the insurance companies, became the target of violence, threats, and extortion.”

On Thursday, April 30, and May 1, warrants were executed in Brantford and Hamilton. Police say five suspects were taken into custody and have been charged.

On Wednesday, May 20, 21 search warrants were executed at residences and businesses in the Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Hamilton, Oakville, Toronto, and the Towns of Aurora and East Gwillimbury.

Three suspects were arrested and have been charged, according to police.

Overall, charges include first degree murder, extortion, fraud, arson and drug trafficking.

York Regional Police

Evidence seized in the search warrants include:

• 11 tow trucks
• Firearms: 16 handguns, 13 shotguns, nine rifles, one machine gun, one air pistol converted to .22 calibre pistol, one sawed-off shotgun and three high-capacity drum magazines
• Ammunition: Thousands of rounds of various calibres
• Weapons: Two conductive energy weapons, brass knuckles
• Drugs: Five kilograms of fentanyl, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 1.25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 1.5 kilograms of cannabis
• Currency: More than $500,000

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Organized Crime and Intelligence Services at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7818, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.