Most of you probably know nothing about this story or may have seen a brief report about it on a car site or news feed. However, its been big news in the Canadian car community since the story first broke back in May.
In late 2023, OPP in Lambton County in southwestern Ontario launched an investigation after receiving a complaint of stolen vehicles with a combined value of approximately $3 million. It’s important to note that no number was released as to how many cars were stolen just that the total was estimated at $3M. This came about when an employee of Grogan Classics went to Service Ontario to change the registrations on over 100 vehicles from one Grogan company to another.
OPP say their extensive investigation led to a search warrant being executed on May 14 at an address in Stirling, a rural community 25 kilometres north of Belleville and approximately 450 kilometres east of Lambton County. (note: I live just 10 minutes south west of Stirling Ontario.)
Investigators located several of the reported stolen vehicles, including some classic cars. Police also seized 16 vehicles from the two accused as proceeds of crime.
Robert Bradshaw, 54, and Gary Leblanc, 55, both of Stirling, Ont., were arrested and each charged with theft of motor vehicles over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, using forged documents and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Leblanc was also charged with uttering threats.
However, here is “the rest of the story”. Many of the stolen cars were owned by Grogan Classics of Watford Ontario. It’s believed that Robert Bradshaw had some arrangement for the buying, selling and/or storing of vehicles for Grogan Classics. Somehow a large number of cars changed hands supposedly without Grogan’s knowledge. Many of these cars were sold and legally registered to new owners between January 1, 2020 and May 4, 2024. Now, years later Grogan Classics claims they were stolen and wants them back. There is proof that a few owners notified Grogan of problems when trying to register their vehicles. In one case Grogan Classics couriered revised paperwork so the registration was correct for the new owner, or so they thought. In another case Grogan Classics bought back a vehicle with incorrect paperwork. Since then many other cars have been seized by law enforcement including the one that Grogan supplied corrected paperwork for. Plus, in some cases these seized vehicles have already been returned to Grogan Classics. This seems to be in direct conflict with current laws that require the vehicles be impounded until such time that their status is verified. It also means those people whose cars were seized are out of pocket not just the original purchase price but also the thousands of dollars spent repairing, restoring or upgrading. Those affected are looking into their legal options.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60898832/police-canada-recover-stolen-classic-cars/https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/warmington-couple-left-stunned-after-legally-registered-car-seizedhttps://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-classic-car-owner-latest-to-have-legally-registered-vehicle-seizedhttps://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2024/08/police-allege-larry-grogan-is-rightful.html?m=0&template=default On the Victims of Classic Car theft ring Facebook page more people have come forward to say their cars have been seized. It has now spilled over into Quebec where numerous cars are known to have been sold. I believe at this time at least four families have been contacted by the Sûreté du Québec. Plus, it’s not just collector cars but daily drivers and RV’s too!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/472241915546522Also, the CBC aired a segment a couple of weeks ago on both regional and national news programs which brought out some new information. You may view the segment on YouTube or on the CBC site. You should also read the text on the CBC website as there is some info in the video not in the text and vice versa.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ontario-classic-car-theft-ring-1.7336571 Further to the above a third man has be changed. Michael McCrory, 58 from Centre Hastings has been charged with: Possession of property obtained by crime, Theft over $5,000, Fraud over $5,000, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence – two counts and Use, deals or acts on forged document.
The latest news (Oct. 09, 2024) came from The Independent, a publication serving Lambton County. Most of the article was a rehash of what was already reported. However, it does raise several points including that the total of stolen vehicles is 208. The lawyer for Larry Grogan, who has made threats and some questionable comments in the past added to his list by stating; “Neither Mr. Grogan nor his corporation were in business or in partnership with the thieves, as has been falsely reported by the press and CBC.”
https://petrolialambtonindependent.ca/2024/10/09/over-160-stolen-classic-cars-from-watford-dealer-still-missing-says-lawyer/Thank you if you’ve read this far. My purpose in posting this on this website is to “Get the Word Out”. These guys don’t live in a vacuum. Other people must know these guys and have had dealings with them. It’s been reported that Mr. Bradshaw has sold cars not just across Canada but also into the US. So, pass the word. You may not know anyone who has bought or sold to these guys but, I laid odds that you know or have come across someone like these lowlifes in your lifetime. Remind people to be ever vigilant for fraudsters in any transaction.
