Auto-theft task force files 251 charges in just three months

Members of the police auto-theft team have nabbed 54 suspects and laid hundreds of charges in the past three months alone.

But Staff Sgt. Graeme Smiley with the Calgary Police Service said a large number of the 251 charges laid in recent arrests aren’t stolen-vehicle offences.

Smiley said stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes, adding there is a “food chain” of criminals using car keys as a “transactional piece.”

“At the time of arrest, these (54) offenders were wanted on a total of 211 warrants on unrelated crimes,” Smiley said at a news conference Thursday. He said those “unrelated crimes” include drug offences, violent crimes and break-and-enters, among others.

Forty-four cars with a total value of more than $1 million were seized by auto-theft team members in the past three months, Smiley said.

“It’s important to mention . . . those 54 arrests are from our auto-theft team, there’s actually numerous other arrests made by our patrol members as well in relation to stolen vehicles,” Smiley said, adding about 15 cars are stolen every day in Calgary.

Smiley said task-force officers on Wednesday located and arrested a suspected car thief who was wanted on 62 outstanding criminal warrants for previous offences.

The offender has been charged with another 13 offences.

“We see everything from an organized effort to a crime of opportunity, and that crime of opportunity is what we’re trying to capitalize on today with the messaging around leaving your vehicle running,” Smiley said.

Police will kick off another round of Operation Cold Start in coming weeks.

The annual campaign urges Calgarians not to leave their cars running in the winter months to avoid becoming an easy target for would-be thieves.

Police are reminding citizens planning to warm up their vehicle on a cold day to:

Never leave a running vehicle, whether with keys in the ignition or a keyless system, unattended.

Use a remote starter whenever possible and keep your vehicle locked.

Use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.

We see everything from an organized effort to a crime of opportunity, and that crime of opportunity is what we’re trying to capitalize on today.

Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle.

Always lock the person door leading from a garage into a residence.

Never leave children or pets in a running vehicle.

Do not leave valuables, including identity documents or bank cards, in a vehicle.

If you witness a crime, such as a vehicle being stolen, call 911 and provide as much descriptive information as possible. Never approach a suspect or pursue a stolen vehicle.