Suspects registering trucks and motorhome using altering vehicle identification numbers, police say
Law enforcement officials have charged two Calgarians and recovered three stolen vehicles in what authorities are calling a “complex” stolen-vehicle scheme.
The recovered vehicles, which include two high-end trucks and a motorhome, have a total value of more than $300,000. The vehicles were previously reported stolen from Cochrane, Calgary, and Tsuut’ina.
Investigators were notified of the scheme after an “innocent third-party was contacted about driving offences committed in a vehicle fraudulently registered under their name,” according to an Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) news release.
Police say the two suspects were exploiting Alberta’s registration process by registering vehicles using altering vehicle identification numbers.
“These suspects were essentially hiding in plain sight,” said ALERT Staff Sgt. Gordon MacDonald in a news release.
MacDonald warned that complex auto crimes such as these will raise vehicle insurance costs for Albertans.
Service Alberta has been advised and is helping with the investigation.
MacDonald warned that complex auto crimes such as this will raise vehicle insurance costs for Albertans.
ALERT’s auto crimes unit charged Darko Kolundzic, 36, and Viviana Tello, 39, each with possession of property obtained by crime, uttering a forged document, and fraud.