Calgary, AB,
17
November
2016
|
07:54
America/Denver

Three stolen vehicles recovered, three charged in rash of car thefts

The Calgary Police Service has charged three people in relation to a string of car thefts that occurred earlier this week.

Sometime between 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, and approximately 5 a.m., on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, unknown culprits stole a blue 2002 Honda Accord and a black 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe from an auto service shop, located at 217 Hawksbrow Dr. N.W. It is believed that the culprits breached the after-hours key drop box to retrieve the vehicle keys.

At approximately 9 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, a man left his 2006 Toyota Sienna minivan unattended and running at a hotel, located at 1250 McKinnon Dr. N.E. An unknown man got out of a nearby Honda Accord, believed to be the same vehicle stolen the previous day in Hawkwood, entered the Toyota Sienna minivan and drove away. The Honda Accord driven by a second man also left the hotel.

Realizing there were two stolen vehicles now mobile, resources from across the Calgary Police Service were called in to assist, including HAWCS. Officers were able to locate the stolen minivan and observe the driver meeting up with another man driving the stolen Honda Accord.

Over the course of next three hours, police observed the two men drive throughout northeast Calgary. At one point, the men met up with a woman in Bridgeland and drove to another hotel to pick up the Hyundai Santa Fe, which was parked at a northeast hotel, located at 2120 16 Ave. N.E.

All three were later observed driving in the Santa Fe to a pub, located at 2002 16 Ave. N.W., where they exited the vehicle. All three were then taken into custody by police without incident.

This lengthy incident required city-wide coordination amongst a number of units within CPS. The file demonstrated excellent collaboration to track multiple offenders as they moved throughout the city in multiple stolen vehicles, all while keeping the public safe. All three vehicles were recovered.

Wesley MICHELL-SCOTT, 25, is charged with one count of break and enter, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and three counts of driving an uninsured vehicle. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

Ali Imran NAQVI, 29, is charged with one count of break and enter, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and three counts of driving an uninsured vehicle. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.

Santana Jodie AHPAY, 24, is charged with one count of break and enter, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and two counts of driving an uninsured vehicle. AHPAY is next scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

The Calgary Police Service would like to remind the public not to leave vehicles unattended while the keys are in the ignition. It takes less than a minute for a vehicle to be stolen while running. Other tips include:

• Lock up your vehicle; close the windows and sunroof when the vehicle will be unattended to. If you park your vehicle in a garage, make sure the overhead garage door and pedestrian door are locked as well. Do not leave a spare key hidden inside the vehicle.

• Consider installing an aftermarket car alarm if your vehicle is not already equipped with one.

• Be aware of where you park. Well lit parking lots and streets with lots of vehicular and pedestrian traffic will help to deter car thieves.

• Do not leave garage door openers in vehicles. Thieves can use them to gain entry to a home.

• Do not leave valuables in plain view in your vehicle. This includes parcels, cell phones, GPS devices, laptops, clothing or money.

• Avoid parking in unlit areas at night.