The Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit has made several arrests and recovered $500,000 in stolen vehicles after a nearly 3-month long investigation. In March of 2024, the Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit identified a trend of brand-new Ford Explorers being stolen from dealerships throughout Central Alberta. The thefts were sophisticated as the suspects were programming new keys for the vehicles then the vehicles were driven off dealership lots with both sets of keys accounted for. It was discovered that the Ford Explorers and numerous other vehicles were being re-vinned, registered in Alberta with fraudulent VIN numbers, and used in numerous serious and violent crimes.
During the investigation into this crime group, RCMP recovered documentation which identified many other potential stolen and re-vinned vehicles that police believed were in circulation. RCMP flagged these VINs with the Canadian Police Information Centre which have been seized by RCMP and other police agencies in Canada including:
- A 2023 GMC Acadia AT4 that is believed to have been involved in the homicide of Mohamed Abdi in Edmonton. This matter is still under investigation by the Edmonton Police Service.
- A vehicle linked to a shooting on March 30, 2024 in the Mycroft Townhouses in North Edmonton. This matter is also still under investigation by the Edmonton Police Service.
- Two of vehicles at the Port of Vancouver, both of which were set to be exported from Canada.
- One vehicle in Ontario by York Regional Police and $150, 000 was seized therein.
As a result of this investigation which included the execution of multiple search warrants in in the Edmonton area RCMP have recovered:
- 7 stolen Ford Explorers;
- 4 stolen Ford F350's;
- A stolen GMC Acadia;
- A stolen Toyota Rav4;
- 4 stolen trailers;
- 2 stolen snowmobiles;
- Several devices capable of programming vehicle keys;
- A radio frequency detector for locating GPS trackers in vehicles;
- An estimated $30,000 in Cocaine;
- $5000 in Fentanyl;
- as well as MDMA and Methamphetamine.
As a result of this investigation, a 48-year-old resident of Lacombe, has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (x2);
- Fraudulent Concealment (x2);
- Break and Enter;
- Possession of break in instruments;
- Possession of master key;
- Altering a VIN number;
- Possession of property obtained by crime (x10);
- Uttering a forged document (x10).
On April 16, 2024 the 48-year-old was arrested and taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with the individuals next court date set for July 2, 2024 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton.
A 25-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:
- Break and enter;
- Fraudulent concealment
- Possession of property obtained by crime (x4);
- Theft of motor vehicle;
- Uttering a forged document (x3).
The 25-year-old currently has a warrant for arrest for these offences.
A 47-year-old resident of Lac Saint Anne County, has been charged with 7 counts of possession of property obtained by crime.
On June 21, 2024 the 47-year-old was arrested and taken before a Justice of the Peace and released from custody with future court dates in Edmonton.
This investigation has uncovered an active organized crime group securing large amounts of stolen vehicles and property which are being utilized in serious organized crimes and or sold with the intent of exportation outside of Canada. Statistically the majority of vehicle thefts in Alberta consist of crimes of opportunity, with vehicles stolen while left running or unlocked which are subsequently used for short time frame and later recovered. The Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit would like to remind Albertans that the most effective way to protect yourself is to lock your vehicle and never leave keys in the ignition.
The RCMP Auto Theft Unit has been working with vehicle manufactures to resolve the vulnerabilities in their vehicle systems in order to prevent future vehicle thefts.