EDMONTON — It was described as the largest seizure of stolen goods in Edmonton police history. But now, charges have been stayed in connection to the massive haul.
At the end of Aug. 2013, police executed a search warrant on a house in the Cumberland neighbourhood of northwest Edmonton. Inside, they found thousands of items throughout the property that they believed were stolen.
“In 20 years of policing, I haven’t seen this type of volume of stolen property and variety of stolen property under one residential roof before,” admitted Acting Staff Sgt. Kevin Fald in Sept. 2013.
“This is unique.”
Police filled two five-tonne trucks with items from the garage and yard alone. The following day, officers returned to the property and seized hundreds more items that filled two more five-tonne trucks.
READ MORE: Officers conduct largest stolen property seizure in EPS history
“We have owls, we have deer, looks like a type of hawk, tortoise and a buffalo head,” Fald listed off.
In addition to taxidermy products, the haul included everything from license plates and watches to motorcycle helmets, golf clubs, gift certificates and liquor.
“In my experience, this is the first bathtub I have seen stolen. I believe somewhere in there is a kitchen sink.”
As a result of the seizure, 216 charges were laid; including breach of conditions, breach of firearm prohibition, 11 counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, and 112 counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000.
However, on March 4, 2015, the charges against 34-year-old Jason Raymond Schell were stayed. Alberta Justice said there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction.
If there is new evidence, prosecutors have one year to bring the charges back.
Comments