ALERT arrest and charge two people in stolen vehicle scheme

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) has arrested two suspects in a "complex scheme of re-vinning stolen vehicles".

According to ALERT, the suspects were charged on September 29 after police recovered three stolen vehicles worth around $380,000. 

Police say the suspects were exploiting the vehicle registration process, re-vinning and fraudulently registering stolen vehicles. 

“By exploiting the system, these suspects were essentially hiding in plain sight. Organized and complex auto crimes such as these drive-up insurance premiums for all Albertans,” said Staff Sergeant Gordon MacDonald with ALERT.

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The stolen vehicles were taken out of Cochrane, Calgary, and Tsuut'ina Nation.

Investigators were alerted to the case after an innocent third party was charged with driving offences for a vehicle registered under the innocent person's name.

Darko Kolundzic and Viviana Tello, both from Calgary, have been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, uttering a forged document, and fraud.