Heather Wright/The Independent

Two more people face charges in the theft of classic cars linked to a Watford dealer. One, the uncle of the first man charged in the case, is facing a charge of obstructing police.

In 2023, Larry Grogan of Grogan Classics told Lambton OPP he was missing over 160 classic cars. May 14, the OPP searched a garage in Stirling, north of Belleville and found 16 cars worth about $3 million. The seizures have continued and, at last word, police had reclaimed over $6.5 million worth of stolen vehicles, returning them to the Watford dealer.

The people who purchased the cars from the accused lost not only their cars, but the cash they infused into the purchase and refurbishment of the classics. Grogan filed a court case trying to get all the cars ownerships returned to his name.

Robert Bradshaw, 54, Gary LeBlanc, 55, Michael McCrory, 58, and Charlotte Johnston, 53, were charged with theft, fraud, using forged documents and conspiracy in a Belleville court.

Police allege they resold the cars after using forged ownership documents. Johnston has plead guilty to one charge.

Aug. 19, the Lambton OPP detective heading up the investigation was back in the Belleville area. He went to Jack Bradshaw’s home, to seize another vehicle. But sources say the car was moved. 

Police tracked down Jack Bradshaw, who had previously posted bail for Robert Bradshaw, and charged him with obstruction by providing false information, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and fraud “by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means defrauding Larry Grogan of motor vehicles by submitted fraudulent paperwork,” according to court records. Jack Bradshaw’s fraud charge dates back to 2022. 

OPP also arrested Roger Thompson that day charging him with possession of a stolen 1935 Ford Coupe, removing its Vehicle Identification Number and forging a bill of sale in 2022. 

Both Jack Bradshaw and Thompson will return to court Sept. 15.

As those charges were laid, Robert Bradshaw, LeBlanc and McCrory were facing more legal troubles. 

Aug. 25, lawyers for Bradshaw were in court to answer to six charges under the Motor Vehicles Dealers Act brought by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. 

Bradshaw faces five charges of selling three classic vehicles without being an authorized dealer. He’s jointly charged with McCrory on three of the charges dating back to 2022 and two with LeBlanc in 2023.

In court Monday, lawyers for Bradshaw said he plans to plead guilty. He’ll return to court Oct. 6.

It’s not the first time OMVIC brought charges against the Stirling man. 

In 2023, Bradshaw plead guilty to six counts of selling vehicles without being licenced and paid $7,200 in fines. 

LeBlanc also was charged for being an unregulated dealer in 2023 and 2024 and faced $7,200 in fines.