Wanted murderer amongst six charged in auto crimes investigation

Edmonton… Charges have been laid against six suspects following a year-long investigation into an organized auto theft and revinning operation. One of the suspects is a wanted murderer, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

UPDATE: Joseph Chlala was arrested by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police in Akwesasne, New York, on August 5, 2024. He has since been transported back to Canada and remains in police custody.

ALERT Auto Crimes unit arrested four of the six suspects between June 18 and July 2, 2024 with a total of 20 charges laid. ALERT alleges the group was involved in a sophisticated auto theft and revinning operation, which was based at a rural location in Parkland County near Evansburg, Alta.

One of the suspects is Joseph Chlala who has been wanted for murder since September 2023.

ALERT’s investigation began in June 2023 when a stolen vehicle was identified and linked to an Edmonton homicide investigation. The vehicle was then connected to a rural address, which was purporting to be an auto detailer but in actuality was being used to re-VIN and reprogram stolen vehicles for resale and exportation.

In total ALERT identified a total of 20 stolen vehicles and one stolen car-hauler trailer. Eleven of the 20 stolen vehicles have been recovered, representing a total value of approximately $1 million. Other vehicles are suspected of having been exported to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Six people have been charged:

• Joseph Chlala, 22, from Calgary, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, and criminal mischief;
• Michael Labar, 47, from Red Deer, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, criminal mischief, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.
• Quinn Olson, 48, from Red Deer, is charged with uttering a forged document.
• Zarina Mir-Wais, 32, from Red Deer, is charged with uttering a forged document.
• Sherry Mackenzie, 67, from Red Deer, is charged with trafficking property obtained by crime, using a forged document, fraud, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.
• Cherie Baptiste, 40, from Red Deer, is charged with possession of proceeds of crime.

Chlala has connections in Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa and is described as being 5-foot-5 with a heavy build, brown hair and green eyes. The Bolo Program is offering a reward up to $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest.

A warrant has also been issued for Zarina Mir-Wais.

Anyone with information on this investigation, or the whereabouts of Chlala or Mir-Wais, is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ALERT received assistance from Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Red Deer RCMP, Sylvan Lake RCMP, and RCMP K-Division Auto Theft unit.

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.