Charges follow investigation that turns up stolen firearms, vehicles

A 39-year-old man has been arrested following a police investigation that discovered multiple stolen vehicles and stolen firearms.

Medicine Hat police report that on Feb. 14, they received information regarding a possible stolen vehicle located in the 1100 Block of First Street SW.

Members of the MHPS Priority Street Crime Unit set up surveillance in the area and located a 2017 Ford F350, which had been reported stolen out of Brooks, with a licence plate on the vehicle from a stolen vehicle out of Sylvan Lake.

Further investigation resulted in the recovery of a 2015 GMC truck stolen from Redcliff, which had nine stolen rifles inside it — two of which were loaded.

Ammunition and stolen tools were also located inside this vehicle.

The value of both vehicles is estimated at $105,000 and the stolen rifles approximately $12,000.

Gerald Thurber, 39, of no fixed address, has been charged with several offences including three counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5000, careless storage of a firearm, possession of firearm while not the holder of a valid licence, possession of break-in instruments, and possession of a controlled substance.

Thurber is remanded in custody until his next court appearance scheduled for February 20, 2018.