Four men and one business are facing charges after a six-month investigation by the RCMP Island District Investigation Section into metal thefts across Vancouver Island.
Police created Project ENOON with support from Nanaimo and Port Alberni RCMP in September following a noticeable increase in metal theft cases.
Investigators identified several metal recycling yards allegedly dealing in stolen metals.
Undercover police took metal, purported to be stolen, to Carl’s Metal Salvage in Nanaimo and an unlicensed operation based on private property in Port Alberni.
Police allege that, in all instances, the metal was accepted by these yards.
In the last week, police obtained arrest warrants for four men.
Carl Bernard Carlson, 56, of Nanaimo, faces three counts of attempting to possess stolen property.
Carl Raymond Carlson, 32, of Nanaimo, faces two counts of attempting to possess stolen property.
Jean Dumont, 62, of Port Alberni is charged with four counts of attempting to possess stolen property and Alain Tremblay, 52, of Port Alberni faces one count of attempting to possess stolen property.
Carl’s Metal Salvage, was also charged with one count of attempting to possess stolen property.
More than 160 metal theft cases across Vancouver Island in 2011 resulted in millions of dollars in lost product, and repair costs.
“Metal theft costs legitimate businesses millions of dollars in lost property, and repair costs annually. It can lead to lost communications and power failures, leaving some of our more vulnerable citizens at increased risk”, Staff Sgt. Ray Carfantan, Commander of the Island District General Investigation Section, said in a press release. “This case serves to remind metal recycling operations that accepting stolen goods is illegal, and can result in arrest and criminal charges.”
