Six people are facing numerous charges after search warrants were served on two residences in the city’s northeast earlier this year.
In January, members of the community approached their community liaison officer and reported suspicious activity at a home in the 600 block of 27 Avenue N.E. and an investigation was launched.
Police uncovered what is believed to be a drug trafficking operation involving the exchange of stolen property for drugs and focused their efforts on two residences in the community of Winston Heights-Mountview.
A search warrant was issued on a house on January 13, 2016 and police found a large quantity of stolen property, believed to have been taken through break-ins, car prowlings and shoplifting.
Officers recovered additional property and stolen vehicles from a related residence in the 400 block of 15 Avenue N.E. later that same day.
More warrants were issued on March 11 on the home on 27 Avenue N.E., and police seized a smaller amount of stolen property, drugs and four firearms. Several people, connected to the address, were later arrested.
Police seized:
- About $150,000 in stolen property, including three vehicles, two flat-deck trailers, tools and merchandise believed to be stolen directly from stores
- 60 fentanyl pills valued at $1,200
- 81 grams of marijuana valued at $800
- 31 grams of MDMA (ecstacy) valued at $3,500
- 47 bags of unknown assorted pills
- Small amounts of hash oil
- A safe drill for opening large safes
- Four stolen rifles
- Small amounts of ammunition
Richard Kelly Steel, 57, of Calgary, is charged with 26 criminal offences, including multiple firearm offences, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Georges Elzein, 50, of Calgary, is charged with 44 criminal offences, including theft over $5,000, theft under $5,000, and multiple counts of fraud.
Michael Adam Matchet, 30, of Calgary, is charged with 28 offences, including possession of stolen property, failing to appear in court, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and other traffic offences.
Kimmerly Edward Nesbitt, 57, of Calgary, is charged with nine criminal offences, including theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and fraud.
Jessica Swinimer, 33, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of theft under $5,000.
Gregory Dokken, 40, of Calgary, is charged with one count of motor vehicle theft and two counts of theft under $5,000.
A significant amount of the property has already been returned to the rightful owners and police say the remaining owners will be contacted as investigators identify them
Anyone who has had property stolen should file a police report online describing the property and providing any serial numbers so police can contact them if the property is recovered.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at the non-emergency line 403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637
