A routine traffic stop in Bradford West Gwillimbury led to a broader investigation after police discovered fraudulent licence plates and linked a driver to multiple past incidents.
The situation began on April 15 along Bridge Street, when an officer pulled over a vehicle due to a plate issue and a tinted cover. The 42-year-old driver from Beaverton cooperated and initially claimed the plates were valid. He was charged at the scene with several offences, including driving without insurance or a licence, using an unauthorized plate, and failing to properly register the vehicle. Police seized the plates and impounded the car.
Further investigation revealed the plates were fake replicas tied to a previous owner. Officers also connected the driver to a hit-and-run in Durham Region in April 2025, as well as unpaid offence notices from early 2026 linked to plates no longer registered to him.
Police say the situation escalated when the same individual returned just hours later and drove the vehicle again using plates taken from another car.
He was arrested the following day and faced additional charges, including forgery-related offences, identity fraud, and fraud under $5,000. More charges were added for driving again and for an insurance-related offence tied to the earlier crash.
The accused has been released and is expected to appear in court later this summer.