Mounties have shut down a chop shop in Morley, Alta., where investigators say a number of stolen vehicles were being dismantled for parts.
RCMP officers were doing patrols in the area in an effort to curb auto thefts, when they noticed a suspect with a firearm sitting in a car with a stolen licence plate. As the officers were talking to the suspect, police said another car pulled onto the property that also “turned out to be stolen.”
RCMP said officers remained on scene on Friday afternoon.
“What we know so far is that there are several stolen vehicles on the property, as well as a large amount of car parts inside the residence,” Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said.
“It appears some of the vehicles on the property are in the process of having parts removed.”
Five people have been taken into custody and charges are pending. Police said information about the suspects and charges will be released once the investigation is complete.
The operation in Morley comes one day after police recovered another stolen vehicle with the help of Onstar.
RCMP said that car was spotted travelling on Highway 1 near Morley and that Onstar was used to deactivate it.
Three men are facing multiple charges in this investigation, including weapons and property offences as well as breach of conditions. Their names have not yet been released.
Police said they have been working closely with other agencies to catch people responsible for these auto thefts as “many of the suspects jump from jurisdiction to jurisdiction when committing crime.”
Police are reminding people to be vigilant and protect their property by locking car doors, removing valuables and avoid leaving cars running unattended.