Calgary, AB,
23
October
2020
|
10:43
America/Denver

Rightful owners sought in stolen property recovery

Officers have spent months attempting to return more than $200,000 worth of stolen property and are now offering up the remaining items for viewing in hopes of connecting with rightful owners.

An investigation into several break and enters in the downtown area in May 2020, led officers to identify a man and a woman who were believed to be connected to as few as 16 break and enters, with found property connected to as many as 24 additional cases dating back to 2019. It is believed the suspects would access exterior building lockboxes and use master keys to gain entry into storage lockers, apartment building lobbies, businesses and office towers.

Search warrants were executed on three storage units, two vehicles and a residence in which officers discovered copious amounts of what is believed to be stolen property. In addition to the property, more than 170 identity documents were recovered including drivers’ licences, passports and bank cards.

The suspects were arrested by RCMP in Sundre, Alberta, on June 19, 2020, and are currently before the courts facing more than 74 charges related to break and enter, theft and breaches of conditions. Further charges are expected to be laid once investigators are able to confirm the property is stolen.

Several successful reunions with rightful property owners have occurred over the summer and we are now turning to the public in hopes of connecting the remaining property with owners who may not have reported their items stolen. We have been able to return bikes, construction tools, artwork, supplies from a hair salon, laptops, tablets, projectors, men’s suits, a Katana sword, a PlayStation, a suitcase full of sentimental items and identity documents.

“If you have an item stolen from you it is important you report it to police for two reasons. First, we hope that one day we can recover and return the item to you. Secondly, we can’t lay charges in relation to stolen property unless we have a corresponding report to identify a victim,” says Staff Sgt. Jodi Gach. “Stolen property can be reported online, at any district office, or by calling the non-emergency number 403-266-1234.”

An album has been established on our Facebook page to show photos and exhibit numbers for the remaining property. Anyone who thinks their items might be involved, is asked to send an email to propertyreturn@calgarypolice.ca, with as many details and corroborating photos as possible, along with the exhibit number identified in the Facebook album photo.

We would like to thank the RCMP for their assistance in this investigation.

Case #20224469/5420