So far this year, the TRAP team has laid a total of 457 charges against 96 individuals, solely in relation to auto-theft. The total value of the 100 recovered vehicles is estimated to be approximately $1.7 million.
“We continue to see a growing number of stolen vehicles involved in property crimes, home invasions and robberies across the city,” says Staff Sergeant Sid Kingma of the Economic Crimes Section. “The drivers of these stolen vehicles typically have little respect for the road, other motorists or police – in most cases, we’re seeing them drive recklessly to evade police, putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk.”
The TRAP team was launched on March 19, 2017 as the EPS noticed a significant increase in the number of reported stolen vehicles. Between March and December 2017, theteam recovered 221 stolen vehicles, made 187 arrests and laid 931 charges.
The TRAP team is a specialized unit which specifically addresses city-wide theft of motor vehicles, thereby focusing on the reduction of crime and victimization, while increasing public safety.
Below are some recent examples, as well as aerial footage, of crimes which involve stolen vehicles.
May 1, 2018 - Stolen vehicle involved in break-and-enter
On May 1, 2018 the TRAP team followed a stolen F350 from Edmonton to a rural property off Highway 16 with the assistance of the RCMP. When police flashed their lights, the F350 backed into a garage door and allegedly drove through a fence to evade police.
A short time later, police witnessed the same F350 at a property in the area of 52 Avenue and 50A Street allegedly committing a break-and-enter to a garage. When police arrived on scene, a male and female, both believed to have been in the midst of stealing another vehicle (Ford Escort), were taken into custody with the assistance of the EPS Canine Unit. Several identity documents, not belonging to either of the accused, were also located in one of the stolen vehicles.
Jeffrey Myles, 30, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, criminal flight, possession of stolen property over $5,000, fraudulent concealment, possession of break and enter tools and other charges.
Christina Cherpak, 29, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property over $5,000 (x6), possession of identity documents (x2) and other charges.
May 2, 2018 - Stolen vehicle recovered with sawed-off shotgun
On May 2, 2018 police responded to the area of 74 Avenue and 96 Street on the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, TRAP members observed a Ford Fusion which has been reported stolen. Police followed the vehicle and observed it driving aggressively, before parking in the area of 74 Avenue and Saskatchewan Drive. With the assistance of the EPS Canine Unit, three individuals were taken into custody. Police located a sawed-off shotgun in the stolen vehicle.
Dustin Orvis, 30, is charged with various firearm related offenses, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and disqualified driving.
Bradley Almas, 18,andChristine Goshko,19, are bothcharged with breach of conditions.
May 3, 2018 - Stolen vehicle involved in collision
On May 3, 2018 at approximately 11 a.m., a stolen Grand Prix was travelling westbound on 121 Avenue at 40 Street at a high rate of speed when it struck a Ford Ranger that was travelling northbound on 50 Street. The female passenger of the Ford Ranger was ejected from the vehicle and then pinned under the truck. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services was required to extract the female passenger from the scene and she was treated and transported to hospital by EMS with serious injuries. The male driver of the Ford Ranger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The alleged 35-year-old male driver of the stolen vehicle remains under investigation. No charges have been laid at this time, however the investigation continues.
Damage to Ford Ranger following collision with stolen vehicle
May 16, 2018 – Stolen vehicle travelling at high rate of speed
Just after midnight on May 16, 2018, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a suspicious Dodge Caravan in the area of 97 Street and Yellowhead Trail. When members flashed their lights to conduct the traffic stop, the Dodge Caravan fled the area at a high rate of speed. Air1 assisted in monitoring the location and speed of the vehicle which was allegedly travelling close to 160 KM/hr in the area of 199 Street and Lessard Road. The driver eventually stopped for fuel when the TRAP team arrested the driver and passenger.
Cory Cloutier, 20, is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break and enter tools, dangerous driving and disqualified driving.
Koltyn Kittle, 20, is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Aerial footage from Air 1
The below video is a compilation of Air 1 footage from a variety of investigations, specifically involving stolen vehicles. The aerial footage demonstrates the potential dangers posed to citizens, when individuals are involved in the theft of vehicles. The footage also demonstrates the dangerous situations members are faced with on a regular basis, yet diligently trained for.
*Please note that this footage has been edited by EPS to protect the integrity of various investigations*