Two women wanted in car-theft investigation
Stolen vehicles often used in more serious crimes, police say
Law enforcement officials are warning the public to lock their vehicles and keep their keys close at hand as the city continues to struggle with a 41-per-cent spike in auto theft.
Last year saw the sharp rise in the theft of cars and trucks in Edmonton, and 2017 looks to be just as bad.
In 2016, 4,865 vehicles were reported stolen, according to a Thursday police news release — a 41-per-cent increase over the 3,453 vehicles swiped in 2015.
So far, 2017 is on track to be as bad as last year. The city saw 1,260 auto thefts in the first four months of this year, compared to 1,267 during the same period in 2016.
In response, the Edmonton Police Service, the RCMP and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) are launching a social media and advertising campaign aimed at reminding residents to be smart about protecting their vehicles.
According to IBC estimates, 60 per cent of stolen vehicles last year had keys left inside. Those vehicles often end up involved in other crimes, including drug trafficking, break-and-enters, hit-and-runs and robberies. Police “routinely” recover stolen property, weapons and drugs from stolen vehicles.
“Every year, many people are injured or die as a direct result of auto theft,” the IBC’s Alfred Normand said in a news release. “When it’s in the hands of a thief, a stolen car is like a loaded gun.”
Edmonton police auto theft Det.
Every year, many people are injured or die as a direct result of auto theft … In the hands of a thief, a stolen car is like a loaded gun.
Dwayne Karpo said careless auto owners create more work for police.
“It may seem obvious, but the majority of vehicles that are stolen have keys inside, are left unlocked or left running,” Karpo said. “We’re asking Edmontonians to lock their vehicles, take their keys and remove their valuables.”
Meanwhile, one man has been arrested and two women are wanted on Canada-wide warrants after police accused them of operating a luxury car-theft ring which crossed the country.
Edmonton police were called to a luxury car dealership March 23 after two cars were stolen by suspects using fake identification.
During their investigation, the Edmonton police auto theft unit uncovered a Canada-wide car theft operation based in Ontario targeting dealerships across the country.
“This investigation involved the co-operation of several police, government and financial agencies across the country,” said Karpo. “Thanks to their support, we were able to successfully interrupt this nationwide auto-theft operation and prevent further identity fraud.”
According to investigators, the thieves would apply to purchase a luxury car online using stolen or fraudulent identification before picking them up in person and driving them to Ontario.
Edmonton officers working with the Saskatoon police located three stolen luxury cars and one truck in Saskatoon on March 24. Another luxury car was recovered in Edmonton on March 29.
Those five vehicles are estimated to have a combined worth of $545,000.
Gene Nikota, 45, has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of unlawful possession of identity documents and two charges of uttering a forged document with the intent to obtain property.
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for Kimberly Barlow, 38, and Jennifer Callihoo, 33, who are wanted in relation to 40 auto and identity-theft charges.