Alleged auto-theft ring broken up in B.C.'s Okanagan
'I do believe that they were organized and had a common goal,' says Const. Jesse O'Donaghey
Seven people face a total of 32 charges after police broke up an alleged auto theft ring, which they say was stealing trucks and other vehicles in B.C.'s Central Okanagan.
Kelowna RCMP say the thieves mainly targeted pick-up trucks. The vehicles had been reported stolen from communities across the Okanagan, but also from Dawson Creek and and Calgary.
RCMP Const. Jesse O'Donaghey said investigators recovered several vehicles from a rural property in Peachland in October and found more stolen trucks at other locations. The value of the recovered vehicles is estimated at $240,000.
"They were using the vehicles and putting stolen licence plates on the vehicles and altering the VINs (vehicle identification numbers) as well," O'Donaghey said.
Police have recommended charges against seven people, including break and enter, possession of stolen property and theft over $5,000.
O'Donaghey said he believed the suspects were organized. "I wouldn't be able to say whether they were a gang or not, but I do believe that they were organized and had a common goal."
Apart from the trucks, police recovered a flat bed trailer and a bobcat vehicle.
With files from Brady Strachan