Charges have been laid against six suspects following a year-long investigation into an organized auto theft and re-vinning operation.
One of the suspects is a wanted murderer, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) Auto Crimes unit arrested four of the six suspects between June 18 and July 2, with a total of 20 charges laid.
ALERT alleges the group was involved in a sophisticated auto theft and re-vinning operation, which was based at a rural location in Parkland County near Evansburg.
One of the suspects is Joseph Chlala who has been wanted for murder since September 2023.
ALERT’s investigation began in June 2023 when a stolen vehicle was identified and linked to an Edmonton homicide investigation.
The vehicle was connected to a rural address, which was purporting to be an auto detailer, but was used to re-vin and reprogram stolen vehicles for resale and exportation.
In total ALERT identified a total of 20 stolen vehicles and one stolen car-hauler trailer, 11 of the 20 stolen vehicles have been recovered, representing a total value of approximately $1 million.
Other vehicles are suspected of having been exported to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Six people have been charged:
- 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.
Chlala has connections in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa and is described as being 5-foot-5 with a heavy build, brown hair, and green eyes.
The Bolo Program is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest.
A warrant has also been issued for Mir-Wais.
Anyone with information on the investigation, or the whereabouts of Chlala or Mir-Wais, is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
ALERT received assistance from the Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Red Deer RCMP, Sylvan Lake RCMP, and RCMP K-Division Auto Theft unit.