INNISFAIL - Mounties have taken down a major chop shop operation in Red Deer County and recovered more than $200,000 of stolen property from a criminal investigation that was led by Innisfail RCMP and investigators from the police force's Southern Alberta Livestock Section.
Two search warrants were recently executed by the RCMP in Red Deer County which resulted in the seizure of numerous vehicles, trailers, farm implements, stolen property and firearms, said RCMP K Division spokesperson Cpl. Chris Warren in a media release.
He said the property recovered was linked to numerous break and enters and vehicle thefts throughout Central Alberta.
Warren said the Innisfail detachment's General Investigation Section and members of the livestock section, with assistance from the Central Alberta Integrated Crime Reduction Unit, were investigating the Red Deer County property. They were supported by several specialized units, including the Red Deer Forensic Identification Section, Calgary Auto Theft Section, Red Deer Police Dog Service, Alberta Child and Family Services and Red Deer County Protective Services – Animal Control.
Warren said the accused, Mark Daniel Radomske, 34, was allegedly defrauding beef producers of pasture rental. During the course of the investigation, police determined the accused was in possession of a stolen square baler, which resulted in the execution of the search warrants that uncovered evidence of a chop shop and recovery of more than $200,000 of stolen property.
Radomske has been charged with five counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, careless use of a firearm, fraud over $5,000 and three counts of fraud under $5,000. He was released with conditions to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Oct. 9.
