Edmonton police said three suspects were facing charges, in connection to an investigation into a ‘chop shop’ that started in June, 2017.
Back in early June, EPS executed a search warrant at Car Masters Collision Ltd. in northeast Edmonton, and dismantled a large chop shop in the process. At the time, police announced Allan McKay, 53, and Crystal McKay, 35, had been charged.
On Wednesday, police said a third suspect was also facing charges, in a case that is believed to have impacted dozens of people.
“We believe there are more than 140 complainants in this file,” Dwayne Karpo with the EPS Auto Theft Unit said in a statement. “Many of the recovered items were reported to various policing agencies.”
Aside from Allan McKay and Crystal McKay, Amanda Stepien, 33, had also been charged.
Charges include possession of stolen property over $5,000 (EPS called this a global charge for 142 complainants), possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of property for the purpose of trafficking, altering or removing VIN, fraud over $5,000, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device and participation in criminal organization.
Investigators called the ‘chop shop’ “highly organized”.
“This was a complex investigation and the EPS used significant internal and external resources to identify all of the vehicle components,” Karpo said.
Police said the estimated value of vehicles seized was more than $7 million, based on the year, make and model of the vehicles. About 159 vehicles were recovered, either whole or in parts – 141 had been reported stolen. A total of 20 stolen licence plates were also recovered.
The most expensive vehicle was a 2012 Dodge 3500 with an estimated value of $109,000.
EPS said they received 87 reports of auto theft in relation to this case, RCMP received 68 and Calgary Police received six.
