Auto theft 'commercial enterprise': Prolific car thief needs patience

A Montrealer who joined a de facto “commercial organization” stealing vehicles intended for resale abroad wants to avoid prison despite his crimes while awaiting indictment for fraud.

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“This was not an isolated gesture, it was a commercial enterprise aimed at stealing vehicles,” said judge Pierre LaBelle yesterday in a Montreal courtroom facing Andres Olea Ortiz's request.

The 29-year-old suspect is actually a prolific criminal who managed to steal 16 vehicles in a few months in 2021. He specifically targeted Honda CR-Vs, which are among the most stolen models in Quebec.

His role was to drive the SUV into the parking lot before sending the vehicle to the Port of Montreal for shipment overseas. While searching his home, police found programming car keys and a user manual on the subject.

“We see car thefts every day, but it's rare to see 16 suspects,” commented Mr.^e Luke Page of the Crown.

for money

Interestingly, the thefts took place at a time when he swore he had moved to seek relief from the court in a fraud case against Videotron.

“I need money to find a bigger apartment to keep my dog,” Olea Ortiz explained this Friday, adding that she has several thousand dollars in debt, including unpaid fines.

But despite this criminal recidivism and lack of therapy, the thief swears he has changed, according to him he deserves another chance. At one point in his testimony, he started crying in front of the judge about the impact of the thefts… on insurance companies.

“It's stupid of me, I should think twice,” he said through tears. [Les vols de voiture] It affects companies, it affects premiums, it affects people.

His mother also came to testify on his behalf, describing him as a good boy who cleans and cooks.

“Disobeying the Laws”

So, to help him “change and become better”, M^e Lori Zakarian, for the defense, suggested the judge sentence her client to two years of house arrest, followed by probation and community service.

The Crown, for its part, recalled that Olea Ortiz had a “complete disregard for the law,” having previously violated several conditions and that he still has not performed the community work he was imposed in his fraud. the case

“He is part of a structured and organized group that acts as a team, he is not like these young men who get stuck between Ottawa and Montreal with a stolen vehicle, he is an important link in the organization,” pleaded M^e page.

He is therefore seeking a 30-month prison sentence to make him think, but also for all those who contribute to the scourge of car theft.

Judge Labelle will release his decision in May.