One suspect is in custody and police are on the lookout for two others after cargo worth millions of dollars was stolen from trucks while they were operating in the Greater Toronto Area.

The suspects also confronted truck drivers during two unsuccessful attempts to gain access to cargo, including one in which a trucker was threatened with violence, according to a news release from Peel Regional Police.

On May 28, the suspects were in the area of North Service Road in Mississauga, Ont., closely following a Purolator tractor-trailer in a vehicle of their own. They breached the trailer to get onboard the truck while it was in motion, with the intent of committing theft. Once onboard, the suspects stole $1.8 million worth of merchandise and managed to get off the trailer while it was stopped at a red light.

On June 10, the suspects were in the area of Creditview Road and Burnhamthorpe Road West in Mississauga and used a similar set of techniques to distract the driver of another Purolator tractor-trailer, while it was in motion, with the same intent to commit theft. They stole $300,000 worth of electronics. Once again, they got off the trailer when it was stopped at a red light and fled. 

On July 11, suspects were in the area of Hogan Drive and Britannia Road West in Mississauga and attempted to use a cube van, and a passenger van to force a tractor-trailer to make an abrupt stop in an attempt to board it. The trailer was loaded with $1.2 million worth of cellular phones. They were not successful in their attempt as the driver continued to operate the tractor-trailer even while aware of their presence.   

Driver threatened

On June 28, the suspects were in the area of Trafalgar Road and Burnhamthorpe Road in Oakville, Ont., when they attempted to board a tractor-trailer which was loaded with electronics such as televisions, laptops and printers. The suspects were confronted by the driver, at which time one of the suspects threated violence by acts and gestures. The driver did not back down, and the suspects fled the scene. No firearm was seen on any parties but $120,000 worth of electronics was stolen.

Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Commercial Auto Crime Bureau, with the assistance of Halton Regional Police have arrested one man and issued warrants for two others following investigation.

Marius Ionescu, 36, from Scarborough is facing charges that include robbery and theft and is being held in custody for a bail hearing. Arrest warrants have been issued for suspects Florian Porumbita, 29, from Scarborough, Ont., and Florian Porumbita (same name), 27, from Scarborough. Charges have not yet been proven in court.