Over the last month, members from PERT were conducting a stolen property trafficking investigation which initiated from a theft from vehicle complaint. The investigation evolved into a multi-agency collaboration with the assistance of multiple RCMP detachments. In early November, a search warrant was executed, and the property recovered revealed a myriad of reported and non-reported theft occurrences stretching across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan with an approximate cumulative value of $500,000.
“While we had a good initial starting point, it was the commendable tenacity, dedication and creative investigative avenues pursued by the primary investigator which brought this file to conclusion,” stated Acting Sergeant Arek Janek of PERT. “We were able to return a substantial amount of property back to its rightful owners.”
Approximately $125,000 worth of stolen property has been recovered and returned, while investigations continue into determining the owners of the other property seized. There are a couple of items that remain outstanding; these items can be viewed on our Pinterest page here and here.
Dennis Hyatt, 35, has been charged with multiple offences including trafficking in stolen property obtained by crime, fraud over $5000, fraud under $5000, theft over $5000, and possession of stolen property under $5000.
Anyone who has information about any crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
Background
Police Electronic Response Team (PERT) was developed to expedite service to citizens of Edmonton reporting general service, non-emergency events where an in-person police response is not required. Equipped with various electronic applications and programs, PERT is fully capable of conducting investigations remotely and is able to bring investigations to a successful conclusion utilizing electronic means.