The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says six people have been charged in connection to numerous vehicle thefts across the province.
ALERT says it began an investigation in June 2023, after a stolen vehicle was linked to a homicide investigation in Edmonton.
At the time, the vehicle had been connected to a rural address, near Evansburg — roughly 90 kilometers west of Edmonton — which police say was purporting to be an auto detailer, but was actually re-VINing and reprogramming stolen vehicles for resale.
Through their investigation, ALERT identified 20 stolen vehicles and a stolen car-hauler trailer. 11 have been recovered, and the additional vehicles are believed to have been exported to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
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Between June 18 and July 2, four of the six people who have been charged were taken into custody by ALERT.
- Joseph Chlala, 22, from Calgary, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, and criminal mischief;
- Michael Labar, 47, from Red Deer, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, criminal mischief, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.
- Quinn Olson, 48, from Red Deer, is charged with uttering a forged document.
- Zarina Mir-Wais, 32, from Red Deer, is charged with uttering a forged document.
- Sherry Mackenzie, 67, from Red Deer, is charged with trafficking property obtained by crime, using a forged document, fraud, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.
- Cherie Baptiste, 40, from Red Deer, is charged with possession of proceeds of crime.
Two people are still wanted in connection to the investigation.
Police say Chlala has been wanted for murder since Sept. 2023. It is believed he has connections in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa.
Wanted poster for Joseph Chlala. (Photo Credit: The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams)
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Chlala has been described as 5’5″ with a heavy build, brown hair and green eyes.
Police are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest.
Additionally, a warrant is also out for Mir-Wais.
Anyone who has any information regarding the whereabouts of Chlala or Mir-Wais, contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.