Medicine Hat, Alberta — Following a three-month-long investigation, police have recovered nearly one million dollars worth of stolen property, including 13 stolen holiday travel trailers from an organized crime ring in Alberta.
The investigation, led by ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime unit, also recovered a sports car, other recreational vehicles, motorbikes, tools, and various vehicle parts.
“This was a complex, coordinated scheme that undoubtedly ruined many family’s summer vacation plans. However, the impact of organized crime extends beyond the victim, and is a cost that society collectively bears,” said Superintendent Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT CEO.
ALERT alleges two Medicine Hat men were involved in the thefts, and fraudulently re-VINned the trailers before being re-sold. A search of one of the suspect’s homes yielded materials for making fraudulent VIN stickers.
“Vehicle theft is a serious issue that affects us all through higher insurance premiums and can also be a risk to personal safety. Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to have been involved in this investigation and we congratulate ALERT for their success in recovering the stolen property,” said Sid Kingma, director, Investigative Services, Western and Pacific Region, IBC.
Investigators say the thefts date as far back as December 2020 and spread across the westernmost provinces.
ALERT’s investigation relied on the assistance of Service Alberta, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Medicine Hat Police, and various RCMP detachments.
