Thanks to GPS tracking, millions of dollars worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered at a rural Athabasca address following a tip from an irate victim.

“They had GPS on their property. They contacted us when they found their vehicle. It popped up on their GPS tracking app, and then we were able to go from there,” said Const. Corey Riggs, public information officer for the Alberta RCMP.

When officers from Athabasca RCMP, K Division auto theft unit, Eastern Alberta District crime reduction unit, and Eastern Alberta District general investigations section arrived at the site, they found more than 100 big-ticket items — stolen vehicles, semi-trucks and trailers, off-road vehicles including quads, and heavy equipment and parts —  scattered around a residential acreage at Township Road 670.5, littering driveways and parked at outbuildings around a large home.

“Anytime that there is some sort of GPS tracking, that helps us hugely, because not only does it show us where it is, but the person is able to attest that they put a tracking system (on it). It makes our job a lot easier, especially with things such as air tags available these days,” Riggs said.

“I know a lot of people just throw them in their wallet or their purses or on their personal property, and that’s a good way for us to find property as well,” he said.

The arrest is described as part of an ongoing investigation into rural property crime.

“Further investigation revealed evidence that the property was being used as a ‘chop shop,’ where stolen vehicles and equipment were dismantled and repurposed for illegal resale,” said an RCMP news release.

“Most of the stuff was from Fort McMurray,” Riggs said.

“A lot of the vehicles have already had their (vehicle identification numbers) altered or removed or scratched off or replaced with other numbers,” he said.

Athabasca County chop shop
One man is facing charges after Athabasca RCMP officers seized more than 100 items, including stolen vehicles, semi-trucks and trailers, off-road vehicles including quads, and heavy equipment and parts scattered around a residential acreage in rural Athabasca County on Dec. 29, 2024.Photo by Screengrab /Alberta RCMP

The massive haul caught on body-cam was one of the largest finds he’s seen in law enforcement.

“Typically with chop shop stuff, it’s never just one individual. It’s usually a group of people. At this time, we’re not able to confirm if it’s a single person, or if it’s organized crime,” Riggs said.

Kyle Charles Cushing, a 36-year-old described as a resident of Fort McMurray, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and alter/destroy/remove a vehicle identification number.

Cushing was released from custody with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27 in Athabasca. He was known to police, Riggs said.

“The successful recovery of millions of dollars worth of stolen property, including semi-trucks, trailers, RVs, and construction and oilfield equipment, highlights the critical role of community collaboration in combating property crime,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Hall, Athabasca RCMP detachment commander.

“Thanks to the diligence of a vigilant property owner who tracked their missing equipment and the meticulous investigation by the Athabasca RCMP members, we were able to uncover and recover this significant cache of stolen assets. This operation serves as a powerful example of how community members and law enforcement working together can achieve remarkable results in protecting property and holding offenders accountable.”

The RCMP released a list of ways to combat theft, including storing valuables out of sight and in secure locations, securing vehicles and equipment with high-quality locks and immobilizers, using GPS tracking devices on vehicles and heavy equipment, installing proper lighting and surveillance cameras on properties, and documenting/photographing property, including serial numbers and other unique identifiers.


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