Warrants issued in vehicle cloning investigation
The Calgary Police Service Auto Theft Team has issued arrest warrants for four individuals following a year-long vehicle cloning investigation.
In October 2018, police became aware of a suspected vehicle cloning operation being conducted out of Auto Detailing Specialists, located at 316 36 Avenue N.E. It is alleged that at least four people were involved in various aspects of the crime which included stealing vehicles from auto dealerships, re-vinning the vehicles and selling the vehicles under a new Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Investigators believe that offenders stole the vehicles by either using fraudulent identification and bank drafts to purchase vehicles or by stealing a vehicle’s keys during a test drive and returning to the dealership at a later time to complete the theft.
On Jan. 26, 2019, police executed a search warrant at Auto Detailing Specialists and seized the following items:
- Six stolen vehicles, worth approximately $730,000
- 119 grams of methamphetamine, worth approximately $10,000
In total, police estimate that the offenders stole or cloned $1.73 million dollars worth of vehicles and sold them for approximately $575,000 in cash.
After completing a thorough review of the evidence collected, the following individuals have been charged with a total of 22 offences by way of warrants:
- Sherwin Hadji-Latiph MENDOZA, 38, of Edmonton has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking. MENDOZA is described as 5’6” tall, 200 pounds with a heavy build, black hair and brown eyes.
- Kathleen Marie JACKSON, 32, of Calgary, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking. JACKSON is described as 5’2” tall, 140 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes.
- Jason Joseph BUCKLEY, 46, of Calgary, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking, fraud over $5,000, uttering a forged passport and uttering a forged document. BUCKELY is described as 6’1” tall, 190 pounds, with a slim build, brown hair and blue eyes.
- Ashley Marie MYSHRALL, 33, of Calgary, has been charged with identity fraud, fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking, uttering a forged document, possession of a counterfeit mark and possession of property obtained by crime. MYSHRALL is described as 5’2” tall, 110 pounds, with a medium build, blond hair and brown eyes.
Photos of all four offenders are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.
“This is yet another example of how complex auto theft fraud investigations can be,” says Staff Sergeant Graeme Smiley of the CPS District Support Unit. “These offenders took significant steps to evade detection and disguise stolen vehicles, which resulted in an extensive amount of evidence that required review.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these individuals is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through either of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: “P3 Tips” from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
Case #19406031/3525