Image
File Photo

Bradshaw faces more charges after classic cars stolen from Watford dealer

September 19, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent

The man at the center of a massive classic car theft case is still on the lam and is facing new charges.

That’s according to the Belleville Crown Attorney prosecuting Robert Bradshaw and five others over allegations 160 classic cars were never delivered to a Watford dealer.

In 2023, Larry Grogan went to Lambton OPP saying he was missing over 160 classic cars. According to documents from a civil court case, Bradshaw had been finding them for Grogan’s new business but not delivering the vehicles. In May, the OPP searched a garage north of Belleville and found 16 cars. The seizures have continued and, at last word, police had reclaimed over $6.5 million worth of stolen vehicles, returning them to Grogan.

The people who bought the cars bound for Grogans without knowing they were stolen lost their vehicles and the money they invested. Grogan is now in civil court trying to have their cars’ ownerships put into his name, so they can be sold again.

Once the cars were discovered in May, OPP charged Robert Bradshaw, 54 and Gary LeBlanc, 55, of the Belleville area immediately. Charges followed to Michael McCrory, 58, and Charlotte Johnston, 53 later that spring.

All face charges of 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.

The case got murkier in August when Lambton OPP went looking for a car they believed Bradshaw’s uncle, Jack, 77, had in his possession. It took two attempts to retrieve it.

He was charged with obstruction of police, 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.

Crown Attorney Lee Burgess says Robert Bradshaw is now facing two more charges, possession of stolen property and obstruction of police. He’s jointly charged with his uncle and Thompson in that incident.

The senior Bradshaw’s posted bail for the 54-year old. He revoked his surety when he was arrested.

Burgess says once that was revoked, a warrant was issued for Robert Bradshaw’s arrest.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.

Bradshaw and the rest of those charged in the case are expected to be in court in person in Belleville Thursday.

Burgess says as far as he knows, Roger Bradshaw has yet to be arrested and it is unclear if he will appear as the justice has ordered.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Clark family invests in community they believe in

July 8, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent The Clark family of Petrolia has donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to three local groups they call the driving forces of their community. Together, two Clark family funds administered by the Sarnia Community Foundation are supporting the “Reaching New Heights” capital campaign at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia (VPP), the Bluewater Health Foundation’s fund to expand

Read More

Image
Front Page

Potential all-Canadian pipeline to Sarnia “fantastic” news

July 6, 2026

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative & Heather Wright/The Independent The security of Sarnia-Lambton’s industrial future received a big boost with Monday’s announcement that a new proposed pipeline will be routed entirely through Canada from Alberta to Sarnia’s refineries. “What it means is Canadian feedstock (will be) moving to Canadian production through Canadian transmission, solely in Canada,” said Matthew Slotwinski, CEO of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Ontario, Alberta ink pipeline deal leading to Sarnia

July 6, 2026

500k – 800k barrels of oil per day could flow from Alberta to local refineries Heather Wright/The Independent Sarnia’s refineries could soon be getting a lot more Alberta oil. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the route for the Northern Shield pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia’s refineries. Smith says the pipeline would move an additional 500,000 barrels of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Grand Bend lifeguards make 32 saves on Canada Day

July 5, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent A Lambton Shores politician is praising the life guard crew after saving 32 people struggling in Lake Huron on Canada Day. Glenn Bailee, who represents Grand Bend on Lambton Shores council, says the combination of incredibly hot weather, a statutory holiday in the middle of the week, all kinds of people using personal watercraft plus a major

Read More