In late November, the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-theft Prevention Team (TRAP) began investigating a series of 14 vehicle thefts involving Dodge Ram TRX pick-up trucks, Jeeps and Durangos valued at close to $1,680,000. Two of the stolen trucks were recovered from inside a shipping container at a local shipping yard near 224 Street and 112 Avenue.With the assistance of CBSA officers, four vehicles were also intercepted and recovered from inside shipping containers at the Port of Montreal.
On Feb. 4, 2023, intelligence gleaned throughout the investigation led TRAP Team members to a second shipping yard near 107 Avenue and 211 Street, where four additional stolen vehicles were successfully recovered after being loaded into shipping containers and delivered to a rail yard where a search warrant was executed. A freshly stolen Ram TRX and a Jeep Trailhawk were also recovered, after two suspects led police on a highspeed chase through Northeast Edmonton on the evening of Feb. 4, 2023.
“This was a well-organized group of individuals, who were specifically targeting high-end Dodge models for overseas export. The high value loss not only effects the individual vehicle owners, but is absorbed by insurance holders as well,” says Sgt. Ian Strom of the EPS TRAP team.
Ali Kourani, 26, of Edmonton, Kamaran Mahmoodpour, 23, of Edmonton, Michael Larue, 25, of Montreal, QC, Jacob L’ Heureux, 30, of Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, QC and Tommy Gagnon-Morgan, 25, of Longueuil QC, are all facing multiple charges including theft of motor vehicle. Larue was additionally charged with dangerous driving and flight from police.