Above Watch: Calgary police have cracked a massive auto theft ring, and are already seeing a huge drop in the number of vehicles being stolen. Nancy Hixt reports.
Calgary Police have recovered $1.9 million in stolen vehicles and busted up a suspected crime ring believed to be responsible for a significant amount of Calgary’s auto thefts.
The sting, carried out between February and April of this year, netted 74 vehicles and 168 criminal charges.
Investigators with the Economic Crimes Unit Auto Theft Team say the operation narrowed in on a small group, believed to be working together to sell stolen vehicles for profit, or use them to commit more serious crimes.
Police say after two suspects were arrested, auto thefts in the city dropped by nearly 40 vehicles a week.
Besides vehicles, police also recovered skid steer loaders, snowmobiles, ATVs and utility trailers, along with hundreds of keys and more than 30 stolen licence plates, cash, drugs and stolen goods.
Officers also seized a rifle and a handgun.
Police are reminding Calgarians to be extra careful about locking vehicle, garage and house doors, and never leaving vehicles unattended with the keys inside.
Four Calgarians are facing dozens of counts each: Tyler Roger Scott, 30; Tyler Timothy John, 34; Jason Howard Little, 31; and Brandi Lynn Courterielle, 25.
Comments