edmontonsun.com - Edmonton News- Couple charged in stolen construction goods bust

James Vanderland gestures yesterday at recovered stolen property at a police warehouse. Police are seeking the owners of some 300 pieces of property, worth about $250,000, recovered from a home and storage facility. Darryl Dyck Sun Media) A couple on AISH have been charged after police smashed a $300,000 stolen construction goods ring. Officers seized thousands of dollars' worth of stolen goods from the house in a Feb.

23 bust. Police are now searching for the owners of about 400 items, from valuable tools like heavy-duty drills worth up to $10,000 to more mundane shop vacuums. We need companies to call us so we can document exactly what was taken," said acting Det. James Vanderland, adding that identifying the owners will also make it easier to lay more charges. Darlene La Trace, the executive vice-president of the Edmonton Construction Association, said the case highlights the growing problem of thefts from construction sites.

We know the issue is greater than what's actually being published," said La Trace. Firms, she noted, "can't afford to make a claim to insurance, so there's so much more of this that goes unreported." The bust, and a subsequent investigation at a storage facility near 128 Avenue and 146 Street, netted about $300,000 worth of goods in all.

Police came upon the stolen goods at the house near 118 Avenue and 58 Street by accident. At the time, a downtown division officer had tipped investigators about a stolen truck. But when they got there, they spotted three people loading some of the goods into the vehicle, leading police to take out a search warrant that turned up even more stolen items. Vanderland believes the goods were being resold at discount prices to finance drug habits.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Trevor Douglas Bennett, 34, facing 14 counts of possession of stolen property. Nadine Nicole Hopkins, 30, is facing 12 counts of possession of stolen property. Those who believe they may be the owners of some of the goods can visit the north division community station, 14203 50 St., Next story: A real bird in the hand This site is updated by 4:00 a.m.

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