https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-police-tow-truck-radios-1.5622069;Toronto police have laid further charges against an officer who allegedly took part in a scheme to provide encrypted police radios to tow truck drivers.
A total of 11 people are facing more than 50 charges as a result of the investigation, which has been underway since August 2019.
The accused Toronto police officer, Const. Ronald Joseph, is facing a series of charges including fraud and trafficking of property obtained by crime. Police announced last week that Joseph was facing charges of breach of trust and fraud over $5,000.
Investigators say the criminal operation put encrypted police scanners in the hands of "several" tow truck drivers working for multiple companies around Toronto.
"They used the radio's encrypted transmissions to learn about and arrive at traffic collisions before other tow truck drivers for financial gain," said police in a news release.
There are further allegations that calls made over the encrypted channels were broadcast to other tow truck drivers, who paid a monthly fee for access to the information.
Police say at least one of the radios was stolen by an officer.
Investigators from the force's Professional Standards Unit executed search warrants and made arrests over the last two months.
They have so far seized three radios, various other radio parts, six tow trucks and one loaded gun.
The Greater Toronto Area's tow truck industry has become a frequent target of police investigations over the past several years, with allegations of rampant violence and arson among drivers and companies.
Police announce arrests after probe into organized crime and violence in tow truck industry
In late May, police in York region announced multiple arrests due to an alleged turf war between companies.
York police say at least four homicides and 30 arsons over the past three years can be traced to organized crime groups operating within the industry.
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