They owned their cars for years. Now Ontario police say they're stolen property
CBC
Wayne and Mona Evoy have an empty space in their garage, and a hole in their hearts.
The shiny, black 1934 Ford Coupe was more than just a car to the Napanee, Ont., couple: It was an escape.
"Wayne's wanted one of those his whole life," said Mona. "It was meant for him to take me to get ice cream. Just to go for nice drives at night, and on the weekends. Something to enjoy now that the kids were grown, and we had time for ourselves.
"Date night at Dairy Queen," she adds, with a smile.
The car was purchased after years of scrimping and saving for $30,000 cash in June 2021.
At first, it didn't run very well, but Wayne spent endless hours tinkering in the garage. He got it safetied, plated and insured. And the Ontario government-issued ownership slip sat in a little pocket on the driver's door — if anyone cared to ask.
The Evoys never had reason to suspect anything was amiss with their dream car — until an Ontario Provincial Police detective arrived at their door this past July, informing them they were in possession of stolen property.
A few days later, a tow truck came and carted the Ford away.
Months have passed, and Wayne is still filled with anger and questions.
"Why go buy a seller's package and go through all the bullshit, and then three years later, your car gets taken? That makes no sense," he says, his voice thick with emotion.
"After you do a bunch of work to it, switch it over into your name, put insurance on it, pay all the tax on it.... Three years later, they say, 'Oh, that car was stolen.' Huh? That makes you kind of wonder."
The Evoys aren't the only former classic-car owners left searching for answers. Dozens have been caught up in a sprawling OPP investigation involving more than 200 vintage vehicles.
It was sparked by a December 2023 complaint from Larry Grogan, a Watford, Ont., dealer, who accused his business partner of stealing them. The man is alleged to have transferred the titles into his own name, over a 4.5-year period, at Service Ontario outlets via forged documents, with many of the vehicles then sold on to unsuspecting customers.
In late May, the OPP charged two Stirling, Ont., men — Robert Bradshaw (the former business partner) and Gary Leblanc — with theft, fraud and forgery. Investigators have been busy ever since, repossessing vehicles from people's garages and driveways.
Prince Edward Island's Affordable Housing Development Program fell short of its intended purpose, the province's Auditor General says.
Not even cracking open a cold one is safe from tariffs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a farewell message to Canadians Thursday as he marks his last full day in office.
The Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs says about 80 per cent of volunteer firefighters in the territory are wearing expired protective equipment, putting them in danger and in violation of occupational health and safety regulations when they respond to emergencies.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault will be given a new portfolio in Mark Carney's cabinet, a source with knowledge of the decision told Radio-Canada.
The Alberta government has suspended a loan program at Picture Butte Feeder Cooperative, the province's largest cattle financing cooperative, after an inspection alleged a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
If you look up at the sky late, late Thursday in the Toronto area, there's a chance you'll be able to see a total lunar eclipse and what's called a blood moon.
When wintertime calls, go where it's warm.
Colby Leamon had lost a close family member, and was looking for a dog to provide emotional support.
The cost of a 24-pack of beer could increase $3 to $5 because of 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum exported to the United States, according to a craft brewery in northern Ontario.
Fire tore through a seafood processing plant in Cape John, N.S., on Wednesday night.
Another of New Brunswick's new municipal councils has become embroiled in drama and bitter conflict.
Tardiness is nothing new at Via Rail, but late arrivals are reaching historic levels in a key corridor since passenger trains have been forced to slow down at hundreds of rail crossings operated by CN Rail.