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Two people are facing a total of 16 charges after Edmonton police seized a number of stolen, re-VINed vehicles along with a large amount of cocaine and a loaded handgun in early October.

On Oct. 3, members of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Targeted Response to Auto-theft Prevention team (TRAP) located a 2021 Ram TRX that was believed to be stolen and fraudulently registered with a new vehicle identification number (VIN) number.

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Officers arrested a man after he was seen parking the truck and walking away. Upon investigation, officers determined the truck was stolen after checking the truck’s VIN.

The arrest led officers to execute a search warrant at the man’s home where police found a 2021 Ford Expedition and a 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle that were also believed to be stolen, re-VINed and fraudulently registered. Police also seized a loaded handgun from the home and located “evidence to substantiate a re-VINing operation,” police said.

A third vehicle, a 2017 Mercedes Sprinter RV, was later seized by police.

While officers were at the home, police said a woman arrived in a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was also determined to be stolen and re-registered. The woman was arrested, and police additionally seized a large amount of cocaine along with evidence of drug trafficking.

Police estimate the stolen vehicles carry a value of $414,350.

“A re-VINed vehicle is generally a stolen vehicle whose VIN has been replaced with one from another vehicle that is not,” said Const. Jon Benson in a Tuesday news release. “The newly VINed vehicle is then re-registered as a legitimate vehicle for the suspects to use or sell to unsuspecting buyers.”

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“In this instance, an investigation into one re-VINed vehicle resulted in the discovery of numerous re-VINed vehicles and other criminal activity, illustrating how auto theft and other crimes often go hand in hand.”

Damir Vodopic, 36, is charged with a total of 11 offences, including two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000 and careless storage of a firearm.

Kristen Chelala, 28, is charged with five offences, including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

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