$150,000 worth of stolen property recovered from two Calgary homes

Calgary police have laid over 100 charges following the discovery of approximately $150,000 worth of stolen property and after an investigation into two homes in the community of Winston Heights-Mountview.

Officers launched an investigation in January after receiving reports about suspicious activity at a home in the 600 block of 27 Avenue N.E.

Police launched an investigation in January and uncovered what is believed to be a drug trafficking operation where stolen property was being exchanged for drugs.

Officials said a “large amount of stolen property” was discovered when they searched the residence on Jan. 13, adding it was “believed to be taken through break-ins, car prowling and shoplifting.”

That same day, police also recovered additional property and allegedly stolen vehicles from a home in the 400 block of 15 Avenue N.E.

An additional search on the first home on March 11 uncovered a smaller amount of stolen property, drugs and four firearms. Police later arrested several people who are connected to the address.

During the course of the investigation, police seized:     

• Approximately $150,000 in stolen property, including three vehicles, two flat-deck trailers, tools and merchandise believed to be stolen directly from stores
• 60 fentanyl pills valued at $1,200
• 81 grams of marijuana valued at $800
• 31 grams of MDMA (ecstasy) valued at $3,500
• 47 bags of unknown assorted pills
• Small amounts of hash oil
• A safe drill for opening large safes
• Four stolen rifles
• Small amounts of ammunition

Investigators have already returned a significant amount of the property to the rightful owners.

Two of the victims were construction companies that had to temporarily lay workers off after the companies’ tools were stolen because there was no way for the employees to work. However, police said the return of these tools has allowed those companies to resume operations.

The remaining owners will be contacted as investigators identify them using police reports and property registries.

Calgarians who have had property stolen are asked to  file a police report online describing the property and providing any serial numbers so police can contact them if the property is recovered.

Officers have charged the following six people:

• Richard Kelly Steel, 57, of Calgary, is charged with 26 criminal offences, including multiple firearm offences, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
• Georges Elzein, 50, of Calgary, is charged with 44 criminal offences, including theft over $5,000, theft under $5,000, and multiple counts of fraud.
• Michael Adam Matchet, 30, of Calgary, is charged with 28 offences, including possession of stolen property, failing to appear in court, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and other traffic offences.
• Kimmerly Edward Nesbitt, 57, of Calgary, is charged with nine criminal offences, including theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and fraud.
• Jessica Swinimer, 33, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of theft under $5,000.
• Gregory Dokken, 40, of Calgary, is charged with one count of motor vehicle theft and two counts of theft under $5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers.