What started off as an effort to curb auto thefts in the Morley area last evening (March 22), RCMP got more than they bargained for at a residence.

Discovering what seems to be an auto theft ring of some sort, RCMP found one suspect sitting in a vehicle with a stolen plate and firearm while another person pulled on to the property in a second stolen vehicle. With several vehicles on the property being reported stolen it was also clear many vehicles had parts removed.

Corporal Troy Savinkoff states that as of 3:35 pm today (March 23), RCMP were still on scene. "We are still out there executing the search warrant. We have confirmed a few of the vehicles are stolen and that the parts are removed. We don't think we're dealing with a situation that is complex where VINs are being tampered with and swapped around in different cars but dealing with a more simplified version where simply vehicles are coming in and parts are being removed. We anticipate they are selling them somehow but we're still investigating what their intent is with these parts."

Cpl. Savinkoff is not anticipating this will be a quick case as it will take investigators quite some time to sift through all the evidence. "We'll be receiving basically all the parts in the residence...there is a lot. We'll also be using our auto theft section who has skills identifying vehicle identification numbers off of parts themselves and calling them in to look at the parts and try to link them up to the vehicles they belong to."

Most of the vehicles found at the residence thus far have been linked to Calgary thefts, shares Savinkoff.

Cochrane RCMP has been recovering a number of stolen vehicles as of late, not just in Morley but throughout the jurisdiction. With increased efforts and a well established Crime Reduction Strategy, a number of perpetrators have been apprehended and Cpl. Savinkoff says since then, 'knock on wood', thefts have drastically gone down. "But we still know we have more work to do. Part of the whole Crime Reduction mantra is to make the arrests but it doesn't end there...you follow up with the accused, their probation and hopefully they are put on conditions that we can enforce to make sure they are compliant and don't get back into this situation again."

While five people were taken into custody, in this case, Cpl. Savinkoff says it is too early to determine all the charges that will stem from the chop shop. Weapon and possession of stolen property charges are anticipated to be laid as the investigation continues. 

If you have any information regarding this crime or any other contact the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.