Coaldale RCMP. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Over $100,000 in stolen property seized from Coaldale storage unit

Jul 21, 2020 | 11:28 AM

COALDALE, AB – Coaldale RCMP have made a significant seizure of stolen property.

Following up on information from a local business, officers conducted a search warrant on a storage unit in the northeast industrial area towards the end of June.

Officers found more than $100,000 worth of stolen property including items that have been taken from break and enters or through fraudulent use of credit cards obtained using identity theft.

The items seized include two cargo trailers, 15 welders, a $9,000 wicker patio set, various power tools, air compressors, a snowblower, ladders, new light fixtures, RV accessories, and generators.

Coaldale RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry says this is one of the biggest busts they have had in years.

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“In the last few years, we’ve had some big ones but not for a couple years, so we’re very pleased to be able to contact businesses and say we have your property, come get it. They were very pleased to get it back as well, so in this case, I think, win-win.”

Most of the stolen property was returned to the owners, but some items are still being held while RCMP confirmed the identity of the original owners.

The stolen RVs still had their VIN numbers so Henry said it was quite easy to track the owners down. As well, some of the owners of the tools had their equipment property marked with names and phone numbers.

In addition to marking your property, Henry also had advice surrounding identity theft.

“That relates to, in some cases, fraudulent use of credit cards so just be cautious and be aware and report to either the Coaldale RCMP or your local police service if you’ve got any type of suspicious activity where people are making large purchases and having a third party pick them up, that type of idea that just doesn’t fit the norm.”

Gerald Thurber, 52, of Coalhurst, was arrested in early July on 46 charges. Some of the charges include:

• 24 counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000
• 12 counts of illegal possession of government ID documents
• One count of possession of methamphetamine

Thurber has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Monday, July 27.