Calgary police arrest man wanted for multiple vehicle thefts, warn sellers of scammers

Police have charged a man believed to be connected to at least seven vehicle thefts in Calgary, and they’ve issued a warning for dealerships and individual sellers in the city.

Investigators say they’ve identified a trend where thieves have been posing as potential car buyers. Officers say the scammers use a fake driver’s licence to set up a test drive, leaving behind the car they arrived in as collateral.

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“Once on the test drive, another offender would appear in the original car and drive this vehicle away as well. In most cases, the original vehicle was also stolen,” police said in a media release on Tuesday.

Police said on Thursday, Sept. 7, Red Deer RCMP arrested the driver and three occupants of a Subaru Impreza that was reported stolen from Calgary the day before.

The driver of the car was wanted in connection with seven car thefts in Calgary, and 15 throughout southern Alberta.

Police seized multiple stolen IDs, fake identification documents, vehicle registration documents from stolen vehicles and several sets of keys. They also uncovered weapons, including a machete and a baseball bat.

Sebastian Thomas Tait, 22, faces a string of charges related to fraud and identity theft. He was also arrested on 10 outstanding warrants. Police say additional charges are pending.

Calgary police have also released a list of smart practices for individual sellers and dealerships, to avoid being scammed:

• Never meet in a secluded place. The Calgary Police Service invites citizens to use the parking lots of district offices to facilitate sales arranged online. The presence of law enforcement or video surveillance may deter unlawful behaviour.
• Ask the buyer for multiple pieces of identification and confirm the information listed on each is consistent. Take a photo of it for your reference.
• Ask the buyer multiple questions to ensure they are actually interested in purchasing a vehicle. Vague and inconsistent answers should be considered red flags.
• Use text messaging or phone calls instead of emails to arrange a sale, as these forms of communication can be traced more easily.
• If possible, arrange to meet at an automotive garage where the vehicle’s quality can be assured, instead of offering a test drive.
• If you are considering letting someone test drive your vehicle, meet in a public place and ask how the prospective buyer got there. Record the licence plate of that vehicle and make sure you have something of theirs as collateral. If you’re planning on accompanying the prospective buyer on a test drive, bring someone else with you. Always set a time limit for the test drive before you give them the keys and make sure you’ve removed any valuables or important documents first.
• If you aren’t comfortable conducting a sale, walk away or use a reputable auto dealer.

If you are buying a vehicle, you can find out if it has been reported stolen at the Canadian Police Information Centre’s website.