UPDATE: Charges laid in lengthy Camrose stolen property investigation

Camrose

Camrose… Charges have been laid against four people for their alleged involvement in a lengthy stolen property investigation. Nearly 90 stolen vehicles, trailers, farming equipment, and other machinery had previously been seized.

Charges were laid on May 15, 2024, bringing the nearly three-year ALERT Auto Crimes unit investigation to a close. Known as Operation Elephant, the investigation began in 2021 following tips received from the public.

Original news release: https://alert-ab.ca/update-extensive-stolen-property-recovered-in-camrose/

ALERT estimates that the stolen property recovered has an estimated value of $3.1 million. Most of the stolen property has been returned to its rightful owners.

“This investigation shows that not all organized crime involves guns and drugs. High value property crimes not only impact the victims of the theft, but all of Albertans through increased insurance rates,” said Chief Dean LaGrange, Camrose Police Service.

ALERT first provided information about the case in December 2022 when 17 search warrants were being executed. Most of the search warrants took place in the Camrose area.

Following the search warrants and seizures, ALERT undertook the laborious process of analyzing the more than 100 pieces of stolen property, and worked to prepare the required documents and disclosure.

“Stolen farm equipment, machinery, and recreational vehicles can be incredible losses which shakes the perception of safety in rural communities. Although many of the recovered stolen items were returned, there’s still significant impact and costs incurred,” said Insp. Angela Kemp, ALERT Edmonton.

ALERT alleges the accused were involved in acquiring the stolen property for use in their business interests, which included farming and equipment rentals.

The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, working in conjunction with ALERT, has also criminally restrained nine residential and commercial properties.

Four people have been charged:

Gaye Turnbull, 70, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking in property obtained by crime, conspiracy to traffic in property obtained by crime, laundering proceeds of crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, and attempt to possess property obtained by crime;
Jeffrey Roblin, 37, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking in property obtained by crime, conspiracy to traffic in property obtained by crime, laundering proceeds of crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, and attempt to possess property obtained by crime;
Trevor Turnbull, 44, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking in property obtained by crime, and laundering proceeds of crime;
Kenneth Wipp, 53, is charged with public mischief, perjury, attempted fraud, possession of property obtained by crime, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

The four accused were released from custody to await their next scheduled court appearance on June 12, 2024 in Camrose.

Operation Elephant involved the assistance of a number of partner agencies, including Camrose Police, Edmonton Police, Calgary Police, Équité Association, Vin Verification Services Corporation, Service Alberta Special Investigations unit, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and RCMP detachments St. Paul, Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, Rimbey, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Killam, and several in F-Division, including Cut Knife.

Members of the public who suspect organized auto theft and vehicle revinning can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.