Peel Region’s ‘Porsche Girl’ now faces car theft charges in Toronto

Article content

She may have looked like a harmless looking young woman test-driving a used car that was being sold privately through online auto selling websites. 

But looks can be deceiving. 

Police have alleged this was an elaborate honey trap — a plan to trick, dupe or disarm unsuspecting marks by using a well-dressed, presentable young woman as bait.

But thanks to police, a lid has allegedly been put on the pot. In arresting a woman known as “Porsche Girl”  for alleged crimes in their jurisdiction, Toronto Police officers are claiming a viral video of a brazen theft in Mississauga was no one-off. 

Article content

It was, police asserted, a pattern. 

They alleged that by posing an interested buyer, this accused and accomplices developed a strategy to rip off car owners. According to court records, police claim when it comes to using a ruse to commit car thefts, this suspect scored a hat trick. 

“Sarah Badshaw, 18, of Brampton, was charged with theft of motor vehicle, attempt to commit an indictable offence and possession of property obtained by crime over,” said Toronto Police in a news release. 

On Sept. 19, Badshaw was also charged by Peel Regional Police with several counts, including operating a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. She was released on bail Monday only to be detained a short time later by Toronto Police officers who had her in court Tuesday morning on fresh charges. 

Article content

Article content

Recommended video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

“On Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police responded to a call for a theft of motor vehicle in the Kipling Ave. and Rathburn Rd. area” where police alleged “a male and female suspect attended a residence for a pre-arranged meeting to purchase the victim’s vehicle.” The owner “allowed them to enter the vehicle to inspect the interior and test the engine,” according to the accusations, before “the suspects started the vehicle and immediately drove it away.” 

Police are still looking for “a black 2021 BMW X6 with Ontario licence plate CPXC183.” These new charges, as well as the ones levelled by Peel Regional Police, have not been tested in court.  

Toronto Police are basing their counts on two alleged incidents which they say came five days after the now famous Sept. 6 auto theft, which was caught on video. The doorbell security video shows a man run over in his driveway — in Mississauga’s Winston Churchill Blvd.- Eglinton Ave. area — by his own Porsche Cayenne after someone posing as a potential buyer showed up at his door.

Article content

Then, on Sept. 16, at about 5 p.m., police responded to a call for a suspicious incident in the Dufferin St. and Yorkdale Rd. area where it is “alleged the same male and female suspect attended a parking lot for a pre-arranged meeting to purchase the victim’s vehicle.” The “female suspect approached the victim and requested to inspect the vehicle” but when she was “acting very nervous,” the “victim decided to end the interaction,” according to police.

Police say they are also looking for at least one other suspect: “An outstanding male suspect is described as South Asian with a thin build and a long black beard.” 

As of now, in both Peel and Toronto, Badshaw is the only one facing charges, while alleged accomplices remain on the loose. 

For now. 

Article content