Another tow truck has gone up in flames in Brampton, adding to a long-running series of suspicious fires that police have been trying to stamp out amid ongoing violence linked to the towing industry.<\/p>\n
Peel Regional Police are investigating after a tow truck caught fire in the driveway of a home on Vauxhall Crescent, near Creditview Road and Sandalwood Parkway, in the early hours of Thursday (Aug. 6).<\/p>\n
Emergency crews were called to the scene at approximately 3:10 a.m. after reports of a vehicle fire. When officers arrived, they found a tow truck fully engulfed in flames in the home\u2019s driveway.<\/p>\n
No injuries were reported, and the fire did not spread to the residence.<\/p>\n
Police say the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. While investigators have not yet confirmed whether the fire was intentionally set, they are expected to continue examining the scene and canvassing the neighbourhood for evidence.<\/p>\n
The latest incident comes after months of tow truck fires across Brampton that investigators have been probing as part of a broader pattern of violence tied to disputes within the towing industry.<\/p>\n
In late April, another tow truck was deliberately set on fire on Kingknoll Drive, just days after four separate tow truck fires at three Brampton locations were confirmed to be arsons. Earlier this year, multiple tow trucks were destroyed in a large fire at a yard near Rutherford Road and Glidden Road, where investigators believed several suspects were involved.<\/p>\n
Sources have previously told INsauga that criminal groups have been attempting to intimidate rival towing operators through violence, with arson becoming one of the methods used to pressure competitors out of lucrative service areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise what is going on,\u201d one source previously told INsauga. \u201cTowing companies have been fighting for years over who operates where. But now there are criminal elements involved, trying to push competitors out. Burning trucks sends a message\u2014keep operating, and your vehicle could be destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The violence has extended well beyond vehicle fires.<\/p>\n
Police investigations over the past several years have been linked to shootings targeting businesses, assaults on tow truck drivers, extortion, staged collisions, and even homicides connected to organized crime\u2019s involvement in the towing industry. Similar incidents have been reported across Peel, Toronto, York, Durham and Halton.<\/p>\n
In June, Peel Regional Police announced the results of a major investigation known as Project Outsource, describing it as a significant blow to a criminal organization involved in extortion, insurance fraud and violence connected to the towing industry.<\/p>\n
That investigation resulted in 18 arrests and 97 criminal charges. Police also seized 18 tow trucks valued at approximately $2.8 million, several luxury vehicles, firearms, ammunition, body armour and other weapons.<\/p>\n
At the time, investigators alleged members of the organization used threats, assaults, firearms and staged collisions to maintain control over towing operations, while targeting South Asian business owners through extortion.<\/p>\n
Despite those arrests, Thursday\u2019s fire suggests the problem has not disappeared.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information about the latest incident is asked to contact Peel Regional Police.<\/p>\n