Eight arrested, firearms seized in auto theft crackdown
Police say the number of firearms seized in such arrests is 'incredibly concerning'
City police have arrested eight people charged with 115 offences and seized four firearms and drugs in a series of actions within a week related to a crackdown on auto thefts.
Police say the number of firearms seized in such arrests is “incredibly concerning.”
The three separate actions began Jan. 9, when the Calgary police auto theft team (ATT) detected a stolen vehicle moving through northeast Calgary whose operator attempted to avoid arrest, says CPS.
“The vehicle was driven to the Martindale area, where two occupants fled on foot,” police said in a press release Tuesday.
“Due to the level of risk demonstrated by these individuals, multiple resources, including HAWCS, patrol and the canine unit, were utilized to mitigate risk and apprehend both individuals.”
As a result, police confiscated a sawed-off double barrel shotgun, ammunition, a collapsible baton, a spiked baseball bat, a knife and body armour along with a small quantity of crack cocaine, crystal meth and a stolen 1996 BMW 328IC.
Charged with 24 drug, weapons and stolen property and breach offences is Matthew Walter Frank Hreczuch, 39, of Calgary, whose next court appearance is set for Feb. 14.
Melissa Lynn Lewis, 40, of Calgary, is charged with four breach, stolen property and drug offences. Her next court appearance is Feb. 10.
Then, on Jan. 13, two stolen vehicles were identified in a parking lot in the 200 block of 90th Avenue S.E. as three occupants left them and entered a home.
With the aid of the canine unit, the three were arrested and it was determined they were linked to a break-and-enter that occurred at a self-storage facility in the 500 block of Meridian Road N.E.
“As part of this investigation, officers searched a residence located in the 100 block of Allandale Close S.E., where they seized a .22-cal. rifle, ammunition, stolen property and a small amount of crystal methamphetamine,” said CPS.
“The stolen vehicles, a 2014 Ford F150 and a 2016 Kia Sorento, were recovered.”
Calgarian Carlo Mendoza, 27, is charged with 15 break and enter, stolen property, breach and traffic offences and will appear in court next on Jan. 31.
Roberto Cagaanan, 31, of Calgary, faces four drug, stolen property and break and enter charges, with his next court appearance scheduled for Jan. 29.
Greg Julius Yu, 34, of Calgary, faces 13 breach, break and enter, stolen property and traffic offences, with his next court appearance slated for Jan. 31.
On Jan. 15, three occupants of a stolen vehicle located by the ATT in Canyon Meadows fled on foot when approached by police but were captured with the assistance of a canine unit.
Confiscated by police was a loaded .32-cal. revolver, a loaded .22-cal. semi-automatic handgun, a stolen 2014 Kia Rio and $22,000 worth of drugs that included MDMA, ketamine, crystal meth, heroin and cocaine.
Charged with 21 charges related to drugs, a stolen vehicle, firearms, breach and traffic offences is Calgarian Cody Perry Raven, 34 who’s to appear in court Feb. 7.
Kimberly Mason, 31, of Calgary, is charged with 21 similar offences while Calgarian Joed Leonard Smith, 43, faces 13 charges related to stolen property and firearms offences. Their next court appearances are on Feb. 5 and 6 respectively.
City police say the number of firearms possessed by those in stolen vehicles is dangerous.
“The number of firearms our auto theft team has seized so far this year is incredibly concerning,” said Staff Sgt. Kerry Smith of the CPS offender management unit.
“Offenders travelling in stolen vehicles already pose a significant risk to public safety, and the presence of these weapons only increases that risk. Through the use of data, we are continuing to target auto thefts proactively.”
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.