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In the month of August, Niagara Regional Police Service detectives commenced an investigation into the purchase of a brand-new truck valued at $90,000 through fraudulent financing.

On August 16, 2024, officers from the Anti-Auto Theft Unit, Central Fraud Unit and Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team, arrested two individuals attempting to retrieve the vehicle from a local auto dealership in the City of St. Catharines.

Louise LEMAY (61 years old) of Toronto and Abdifatah SAHAL (34 years old) of Etobicoke face numerous charges as a result.

Louise LEMAY was arrested and charged with the following offences:

  • Fraud Over $5000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
  • Identity Fraud contrary to section 403(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Procure to be Made/Possess/Transfer/Sell Identity Document of Another contrary to section 56.1(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Obtain/Possess Identity Information for Fraudulent Offence contrary to section 402.2(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Theft of a Motor Vehicle contrary to section 333.1(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code

Abdifatah SAHAL was arrested and charged with the following offences:

  • Fraud Over $5000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
  • Procure to be Made/Possess/Transfer/Sell Identity Document of Another contrary to section 56.1(1) of the Criminal Code
  • Theft of a Motor Vehicle contrary to section 333.1(1) of the Criminal Code

On August 21,2024, as a result of a search warrant and further investigation, police charged Abdifatah SAHAL with further counts of:

  • Possession of Identity Documents contrary to section 56(1) of the Criminal Code (6 Counts)
  • Identity Theft with the Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence contrary to section 402.2(1) of the Criminal Code (3 Counts)

Both LEMAY and SAHAL have been released from custody pending future court dates.

The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the provincial strategy to prevent auto thefts and conducts investigations in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, allowing the NRPS to create the Auto Theft Investigation and Prevention Unit.

Additionally, the NRPS is an active participant of the Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team which conducts joint forces investigations related to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling organized crime networks operating high-level criminal and fraudulent activities related to vehicle crime, auto theft and misconduct in the towing industry.

The investigation continues into the other alleged frauds completed by these two individuals.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008916.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

2024-90876