Sandro Lisi’s reported attempt to retrieve a stolen cell phone in return for drugs was why Toronto police began a top secret investigation that resulted in last week’s arrest of the mayor’s friend and occasional driver.

The Star reports a police document says the phone belonged to ‘an associate’.

While it does not name the Toronto mayor, one unidentified sourcetells the Starit belonged to Rob Ford.

Two other sources say the mayor’s phone was taken around that time and that attempts were made to get it back.

Ford has not commented.