Project Stratis: $800,000 in Stolen Vehicles Recovered Before Shipment Overseas

Monday, March 23, 2026

Region of Peel – Investigators from the Central Robbery Bureau have recovered eight vehicles before they were resold or shipped overseas, following an investigation into violent, armed carjacking incidents.

Between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1, police received reports of several violent, armed carjackings across the region and throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The suspects appeared to target high-end vehicles, primarily various models of Mercedes-Benz.

As part of an extensive investigation known as Project Stratis, officers determined the accused were not only carrying out the robberies but also arranging for the stolen vehicles to be re-vinned and resold or shipped overseas to Ghana.

With the assistance of the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), officers executed several search warrants that led to eight vehicles being recovered and two replica firearms being seized. The stolen vehicles were located in storage lockers, an auto body shop and sea containers.

Thanks to information shared by the CBSA, two of the accused were located and arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Ghana.

As a result, six individuals have been arrested and charged with a total of 30 charges:

Rainer Fernando, 37, of Toronto

Robbery X2
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence of Robbery X2
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

Steven Walsom-Gerigs, 36, of Mount Forest

Robbery X4
Disguise with Intent X2
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence of Robbery X4
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

Matthew Hymers, 21, of Listowel

Robbery
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence of Robbery X2
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Laundering the Proceeds of Crime

Bradley Walsom, 38, of Brampton; and Steven (Gisselle) Lopez, 22 and Samson Igbasan, 20, of Toronto

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Peel Regional Police remain committed to reducing auto theft across the region through specialized units such as Central Robbery Bureau, the Break and Enter and Auto Response Unit and the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau — one of the largest of its kind in Canada. Compared with the same time last year, auto theft is down 20 per cent, while carjackings are down 79 per cent.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Central Robbery Bureau at 905-453–2121, ext. 1233. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

QUICK FACTS

Eight stolen vehicles recovered, with an estimated value of $800,000
Two replica firearms seized
Six people arrested, facing a total of 30 charges
Compared with the same time last year, auto theft is down 20 per cent
Compared with the same time last year, carjackings have decreased 79 per cent
So far this year, more than $10 million worth of stolen vehicles has been recovered

QUOTES

“Violent, armed carjackings and auto theft do more than steal property — they disrupt lives and take away a person’s sense of safety. No one should have to experience that. We have made significant progress in targeting these crimes and disrupting organized auto theft networks in our communities, and Project Stratis is another example of this critical work.”

- Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police

“Project Stratis is another example of how the CBSA supports local law enforcement in their criminal investigations. CBSA Intelligence Officers and Border Services Officers supported this operation by locating marine containers suspected to contain stolen vehicles and sharing information that allowed Peel Regional Police to execute search warrants and locate suspects before they attempted to flee the country. Together, we disrupt, investigate, and prosecute those involved in organized crime.”

- Abeid Morgan, Acting Director of Intelligence and Investigations Operations Division, Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency.