Third man charged in $3M auto theft involving area dealer

A third man has been charged in an alleged auto theft ring that targeted a Southwestern Ontario classic car dealer.

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A Lambton County resident reported multiple vehicles stolen in late 2023, leading investigators to search a property in Stirling, a community north of Belleville, where they seized 45 vehicles, including classic cars, worth $3 million on May 14, police said.

Michael McCrory, 58, of Central Hastings is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, theft valued at more than $5,000, fraud of more than $5,000, two counts of conspiracy to commit an unspeakable offense and using deals or acts on forged documents, the OPP said Thursday.

McCrory was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in a Belleville court on Oct. 2.

Police previously arrested Robert Bradshaw, 54, and Gary Leblanc, 55, both of Stirling, on May 15 and charged them with motor vehicle theft valued at more than $5,000, fraud of more than $5,000, using forged documents and conspiracy to commit an unspeakable offense . Leblanc also was charged with uttering threats.

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Court documents allege the men stole “numerous motor vehicles” from Larry Grogan between Jan. 1, 2020, and May 9, 2024, and used “deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means” to obtain replacement ownerships.

Grogan is the owner of Grogan Classics, a car dealer in Watford, a community east of Sarnia, that buys and sells vehicles.

Bradshaw is accused of uttering threats to cause bodily harm to Grogan in September, the court documents say.

Leblanc and Bradshaw were released from custody on undertakings and are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 3 and Oct. 31, respectively.

OPP Insp. Chris Avery said frauds like the auto theft case have “substantial impacts” on victims.

“We empathize with those affected by this investigation, including the rightful owners of the stolen vehicles and those who unknowingly purchased them,” Avery, the commander of the Lambton County detachment, said in a statement. “Our investigative team will continue to work diligently to support those impacted and continue to hold accountable those who commit fraudulent activities.”

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Auto theft is a growing problem across Canada, where an estimated 90,000 vehicles are stolen each year – roughly one vehicle every six minutes – resulting in around $1 billion in costs to insurance policyholders and taxpayers, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Police say organized crime groups are involved in auto thefts and the stolen vehicles are often shipped overseas to countries in the Middle East, Africa and South America.

In response to the surge in auto thefts, provinces and the federal government have pledged millions of dollars to combat crime and many police forces, including the OPP, have created special auto theft units.

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