Peel man faces 168 auto-crime charges

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A 24-year-old man from Peel Region accused of fraudulently facilitating the sale and transfer of vehicles across Ontario faces a whopping 168 charges.

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The dozens of charges stem from an investigation by Peel Regional Police’s commercial auto crime bureau into an unlicensed car dealer and broker.

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Police said between June 2023 and early 2024, it’s alleged that Milton Hylton made several fraudulent transactions through the Ministry of Transportation and Service Ontario across the province, with more than 100 vehicles involved.

It’s alleged that the accused used “loopholes in the Service Ontario procedures” that allow “authorized” individuals to conduct third-party transactions related to motor-vehicles when specific criteria are met. These transactions include registering a vehicle, permit replacement, colour change, obtaining a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), permit transfer, licence plate replacement, and fine payment.

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Police said several vehicles registered by Milton as a third party have been identified as “re-vin” vehicles. “Re-vinning” is the alteration of a Vehicle Identification Number of a stolen vehicle, police said, replacing it with a VIN from another vehicle to pass as legitimate.

Some of the vehicles have been found and confirmed to be stolen, police said. However, a large number of these vehicles are still active on the road, and police are attempting to locate and seize them for examination.

Police said they have been in contact with several victims, both individuals and businesses, who have had vehicles registered to their name by Milton without authorizing him to do so.

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On Thursday, police executed a warrant at a residence in Brampton and arrested Milton.

He has been charged with 168 criminal offences of uttering forged documents and trafficking of stolen goods.

Investigators said they believe that members of Milton’s family and other individuals are also complicit in this crime and anticipate additional arrests and charges laid.

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This is a large-scale crime affecting vehicles in multiple jurisdictions, police added, and investigators are appealing to the public for help in locating additional victims and vehicles.

Anyone who has made a purchase or conducted business dealings with the accused or his advertised company of “Royalty in The Building” can contact police at 905-453-3311 ext. 3313 or via email at [email protected]. Information can also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

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