On April 1, 2022, officers of the Leduc RCMP Crime Reduction Unit obtained and executed a search warrant on a rural property in the area of Township Road 492 and Range Road 235 in Leduc County, Alta., that RCMP believed was being used as a chop shop.
Four people were arrested at the scene.
The search warrants and arrests were made with the assistance of the Leduc RCMP General Investigation Section and Drug Unit, Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, RCMP Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Services and the RCMP Auto Theft Unit.
As a result of the search, police seized a large quantity and variety of ammunition, firearms, prohibited weapons, vehicle identification number (VIN) fabrication equipment and motor vehicle parts.
Police also recovered several stolen license plates and nine stolen vehicles.
The estimated value of the seized and recovered property is $191,000.
“Property crime remains a priority for the Leduc RCMP and we will continue to dedicate resources who can collaborate with our partner agencies to target those individuals who cause the most harm to our communities,” says Officer in Charge of the Leduc RCMP, Inspector Jeff McBeth.
“We will continue to use intelligence led policing to steer the direction of our Crime Reduction Unit to relentlessly target and arrest prolific offenders.”
Shawn Robert Phinney, 30, of Wetaskiwin, Alta., was arrested on outstanding warrants out of Parkland and Wetaskiwin.
Following a judicial hearing, Phinney was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin provincial court on April 21, 2022.
Monique Stephanie Gardner, 43, and Corey Robert David Landry, 33, of Leduc County and Steven Joseph Irvine, 29, of no fixed address are jointly charged with multiple offences:
• Careless use of a firearm (x3);
• Tampering with a serial number (x2);
• Unauthorized possession of a weapon (x3);
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x6);
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x5);
• Tampering with a vehicle identification number (x2);
• Fraudulent concealment (x2).
Irvine was also charged with two counts of possession of a weapon contrary to order.
Irvine was also arrested on outstanding warrants out of Edmonton and Landry was also arrested on outstanding warrants out of Leduc.
Irvine was brought before a Justice of the peace who released him. He is scheduled to appear in Leduc provincial court on April 7, 2022. Monique Gardner and Corey Landry were brought before a Justice of the peace who released them both to appear in Leduc provincial court on April 28, 2022.