RCMP have made several arrests and recovered $500,000 in stolen vehicles after a nearly 3-month long investigation.
In March of 2024, the Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit identified a trend of brand-new Ford Explorers being stolen from dealerships throughout Central Alberta. The thefts were sophisticated as the suspects were programming new keys for the vehicles then the vehicles were driven off dealership lots with both sets of keys accounted for. It was discovered that the Ford Explorers and numerous other vehicles were being re-vinned, registered in Alberta with fraudulent VINs, and used in numerous serious and violent crimes.
Among the vehicles recovered were a GMC Acadia believed to have been involved in the homicide of Mohamed Abdi in Edmonton and another vehicle linked to the North Edmonton Mycroft Townhouses shooting.
The operation also located vehicles as far away as the Port of Vancouver and the Regional Municipality of York, north of Toronto.
Quinn Richard Olson, 48, of Lacombe, has been charged with:
- Two counts of Theft of Motor Vehicle;
- Two Counts of Fraudulent Concealment;
- Break and Enter;
- Possession of break in instruments;
- Possession of master key;
- Altering a VIN number;
- Ten counts of Possession of property obtained by crime;
- Ten counts of Uttering a forged document.
Nikki Yargeau, 25, of Red Deer, has been charged with:
- Break and enter;
- Fraudulent concealment
- Four counts of Possession of property obtained by crime;
- Theft of motor vehicle;
- Three counts of Uttering a forged document.
William Blackwood, 47, of Lac Saint Anne County, has been charged with seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime.
Olson and Blackwood have been apprehended. Yargeau is still at large and has a warrant for her arrest. Anyone who has information as to Yargeau’s whereabout are asked to call your local police or Crime Stoppers.
The investigation uncovered an active organized crime group securing large amounts of stolen vehicles and property, which are then being utilized in serious organized crimes or sold with the intent of exportation outside of Canada. Statistically, the majority of vehicle thefts in Alberta consist of crimes of opportunity, with vehicles stolen while left running or unlocked. These vehicles are subsequently used for short time frame and later recovered. The most effective way to protect yourself is to lock your vehicle and never leave keys in the ignition.
