The EPS Targeted Response to Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) team has successfully recovered six stolen vehicles valued at $485,000, which investigators have since confirmed were destined to be shipped abroad.
“Our investigation suggests that these stolen vehicles were going to be shipped and sold to customers overseas,” says Sgt. Ian Strom, of EPS TRAP Team 2. “The investigation is still ongoing at this time, as we continue to try and identify the suspects involved.”
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, EPS West Branch patrol members received information that a new 2024 Dodge Ram Rebel truck, reported stolen from an Edmonton dealership earlier this year, was located parked at a nearby shipping yard.
Upon arrival at the shipping yard near 218 Street and 115 Avenue, patrol and TRAP members discovered the 2024 Ram Rebel and several other new and used stolen vehicles on site including:
2024 Ram 1500 Longhorn
2023 Ford F150 FX4
2023 Ford F150 Platinum Vehicle
2021 Toyota Highlander (stolen from Calgary)
2019 Cadillac Escalade (stolen from Calgary)
A search warrant was executed by investigators, who have since confirmed that all of the vehicles had been re-vinned and registered with cloned VINs. Four of the vehicles were brand new and had been stolen off dealership lots. The total value of the vehicles is estimated to be $485,000. The six vehicles were destined to be shipped overseas.
Police continue to investigate this series of vehicle thefts and are seeking the public’s help in locating the suspects responsible. Anyone with any information about this series is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
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