Calgary, AB,
18
September
2019
|
09:09
America/Denver

Police seize loaded firearms from stolen vehicle

The Calgary Police Service Auto Theft Team (ATT) has seized two firearms and laid 39 charges against a man and a woman following the recovery of a stolen vehicle. Of the 39 charges laid, 10 are related to breach of conditions.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, ATT investigators located a Ford Flex in southeast Calgary, that was believed to be stolen and was being operated by a man and a woman. Officers observed the occupants of the vehicle park the car outside of a residence located in the 4500 block of 7 Avenue S.E. The woman entered the residence while the man waited in the vehicle.

A short time later, the man exited the vehicle and was arrested by officers without incident. Police contained the residence and the woman was also arrested without incident. A second man was taken into custody from the residence, however was later released without charges.

The following items were seized as a result of the investigation:

  • A loaded Stoeger Luger .22-caliber handgun
  • A Mossberg 535 12-gauge shotgun
  • More than 200 rounds of various ammunition
  • A taser, which had been stored in the driver door of the stolen vehicle
  • Small amounts of methamphetamine and oxycodone
  • Multiple pieces of personal identification not belonging to the suspects

Upon investigation, police determined that the Ford Flex had been stolen from Okotoks, Alberta, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. The vehicle was also bearing a stolen licence plate, which had been stolen off of another Ford Flex sometime before Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.

Darby Jackson BENEDICT, 24, of Calgary, has since been charged with 10 offences related to weapons, drugs and stolen property. BENEDICT was also charged with eight breach of condition-related charges as well as two charges under the Traffic Safety Act and one outstanding warrant.

Tyler Peter REID, 29, of Calgary, has since been charged with 14 offences related to weapons, drugs and stolen property. REID was also charged with two breach of condition-related charges as well as two outstanding warrants.

BENEDICT has been identified as a prolific auto theft offender and will continue to be monitored by the CPS Auto Theft Team.

“Stolen vehicles continue to pose a threat to public safety in our city,” says Staff Sergeant Graeme Smiley of the CPS Auto Theft Team. “Not only are we seeing these vehicles being driven in an extremely dangerous manner, but our officers are quite often seizing loaded weapons from stolen vehicles. Our Auto Theft Team, with assistance from our frontline officers, will continue to target offenders believed to be involved in these crimes to ensure that Calgarians remain safe.”

Case # 19384352