Five men charged in stolen vehicle investigation

The Calgary Police Service Auto Theft District Operations Team (DOT) has charged five men and recovered over $180,000 worth of stolen property in relation to a stolen vehicle investigation that took place in December 2017.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, the Auto Theft DOT was advised that a stolen Dodge Ram, which the team had previously been monitoring, was involved in a high-speed vehicle taunting incident in Calgary. The vehicle fled the city, but later returned and was dumped in the area of 14 Street and 16 Avenue N.W. The vehicle was seized and the team began investigating the offenders believed to be connected to the stolen Dodge Ram.

One suspect believed to be in the vehicle was identified and multiple attempts were made to locate him. He was later arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, and charged with five breach-related charges.

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, police received additional information about this stolen vehicle investigation and a possible connection to multiple other stolen vehicles, including a white Toyota Tacoma and a blue Audi A4. Covert tactics were initiated in an effort to gather information and identify all potential suspects.

On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a break in was discovered at a residence, located in the 500 block of Tuscany Springs Boulevard N.W. Believing that this break in was related to the stolen vehicles previously identified, officers attempted to located both stolen vehicles.

Later that same day, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Toyota Tacoma was located at an arena in the 2300 block of 47 Avenue S.W. A male and female were observed exiting the vehicle and entering the arena. Officers entered the arena and located both suspects in a hockey viewing area. The female was taken into custody without incident and was released without charges. The male was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers and was charged with 14 offences and 10 outstanding warrants. A subsequent search of the stolen Tacoma identified items that were stolen from the Tuscany break and enter, as well as a break and enter that occurred in Pineridge on the previous day. A total of $30,000 worth of stolen property from those break ins was recovered.

On Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, the blue Audi A4 was located outside of a Walmart in the 200 block of East Hills Boulevard S.E. Two men were observed to exit the stolen vehicle and enter the store. Members of the Auto Theft DOT secured the stolen vehicle while officers from patrol and the Canine Unit waited for the offenders to exit the store. Both males were taken into custody and are facing charges.

On Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, another stolen vehicle, a 2009 Ford F150, was observed being driven near a grocery store in the 1800 block of Centre Street North and was also believed to be connected to this operation. After the driver exited the vehicle, he was arrested by members of the Auto Theft DOT without incident and charged with nine offences. Two additional stolen Ford F150s were recovered as a result of this arrest.

In total, five men have been charged with 37 offences and 15 outstanding warrants. A total of six stolen vehicles were recovered, valued at over $150,000.

Cameron RANDALL, 34, of Calgary, has been charged with five counts of breach of probation.

Dale Christopher MacPHERSON, 33, of Calgary, has been charged with three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and failing to comply with a recognizance order, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, and one count each of possession of stolen property over $5,000, break and enter, possession of break-in instruments, resisting arrest, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without a valid licence. Ten outstanding warrants from British Columbia were also executed.

Evan Richard BUTTLE, 31, of Calgary, has been charged with four counts of breach of probation and one count each of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, resisting arrest, driving while disqualified, and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.

Julius PEACEMAKER, 30, of Calgary, has been charged with four outstanding warrants.

Matthew Alan Douglas CROSS, 35, of Calgary, has been charged with two counts each of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, driving while criminally disqualified, driving a motor vehicle with no insurance and one count of possession of break-in instruments. CROSS was also charged with one outstanding warrant.