COLD LAKE – An ongoing stolen property investigation by the RCMP Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) led to the recovery of an assortment of stolen property and several charges being laid against a Cold Lake man.
The investigation by police resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a rural property in Cold Lake North on Feb. 2.
An extensive search of the property was conducted with the assistance of Cold Lake RCMP, Eastern Alberta RCMP CRU, and the Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit.
“Police recovered an assortment of stolen property including a stolen pickup truck with fraudulent vehicle identification numbers, oilfield tools and equipment, and a Jayco holiday trailer,” states an RCMP press release.
Joseph Michael Horwath, 53, of Cold Lake, was arrested and faces several criminal code offences.
The 53-year-old has been charged with the trafficking of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x2), possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, as well as unlawful tampering of a vehicle identification number, and fraudulent concealment of a vehicle's identification number.
He has been additionally charged with mischief over $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Horwath was held for a judicial hearing and was released by a Justice of the Peace on a no cash deposit release order.
He is scheduled to attend Cold Lake Provincial Court on March 9.
