A 25-year-old young man who, along with his older brother, is believed to hold a high position in Montreal's largest network of exporters and car thieves, has just been arrested by police.
According to our information, Mohamad Chaaban was handcuffed by the Sûreté du Québec on Highway 13 near the Chemin de la Grande-Côte early in the evening. The emergency response team was called in because authorities feared he was armed. Police have not yet confirmed the arrest.
Vehicle theft searches were scheduled to take place at a warehouse on the Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, in Montreal and elsewhere in the Laurentians.
Photo agency QMI, SIDNEY DAGENAIS
According to our sources, Mohamad is Ali Chaaban's younger brother and business partner. Although he has no criminal record, he is still well known to police services in the Greater Montreal area.
Ali Chaaban, 35, is considered by police to be a key player in a vast international network to steal and export luxury parts and vehicles, according to police documents accessed by our investigative agency.
It is also said to be the largest vehicle theft network in the metropolis. The group's operations would be conducted primarily through the Port of Montreal.
Attempted murder
More than two weeks ago, Ali Chaaban was also the victim of a high-profile murder attempt in broad daylight in a commercial parking lot in Laval.
“The gunman arrived near his window with a hoodie on his head and opened fire on Ali. He managed to escape through the passenger door and the shooter fled,” said a witness who met at the crime scene shortly after the attempted murder.
Despite the numerous shots, he miraculously escaped with a simple wound on his arm.
Less than six days later, his restaurant in Laval was attacked by gunfire.
There have been arson attacks on vehicles in the past in the yard of his company, which is also located on the Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse.
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