Heather Wright/The Independent

A Belleville judge has ordered Robert Bradshaw to appear in court personally Sept. 18, if he’s not arrested before then.

Bradshaw is one of six people now facing charges in the classic car theft case which reverberated throughout Ontario.

In 2023, Larry Grogan went to Lambton OPP saying he was missing over 160 classic cars. According to documents from a a civil court case, Bradshaw had been finding classic cars for Grogan’s business, Grogan Classics. 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.

People who unwittingly purchased the cars bound for Grogans from Bradshaw lost not only their cars, but the cash they infused into the purchase and refurbishment of the classics. Grogan has filed a court case trying to get all the cars’ ownerships returned to his name. That lawsuit is still before the courts.

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 and has yet to be sentenced.

Aug. 19, the Lambton OPP Det. Tim Symington, seized another vehicle from Jack Bradshaw – Robert’s uncle. The senior Bradshaw had posted bail for Robert. Bradshaw, 77, was charged with obstruction, possession of a stolen vehicle and fraud “by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means defrauding Larry Grogan of motor vehicles by submitted fraudulent paperwork.”

Roger Thompson, a friend of the senior Bradshaw, was also charged that day with removing its Vehicle Identification Number and forging a bill of sale after police seized a 1935 Ford Coupe.

Today, Bradshaw, LeBlanc, and McCrory were to be in court for a trial date to be set. Bradshaw did not show up.

Crown Attorney Lee Burgess says the matter was delayed until Sept. 18. Justice Hurley told the court that Jack Bradshaw has revoked his role as surety for his nephew. He’d put up the money for his nephew’s bail. Burgess says once that was revoked, a warrant was issued for Robert Bradshaw’s arrest.

“Police have yet to locate Mr. Bradshaw on those warrants,” said Burgess in an email to The Independent. “His Honour ordered Bradshaw to appear personally on Sept. 18, if he is not arrested by that time.”

Aside from Roger Bradshaw, LeBlanc and McCory; Jack Bradshaw and Thompson are also expected to appear in court Sept. 18.

Editors note

This story has been clarified to reflect Bradshaw was looking for vehicles for Grogan Classics not an owner of the Watford business.