Besides coming up with unique names for investigations the Winnipeg Police Service has been working hard to break up crime syndicates like in “Project Heavy Metal”

For the past several months Winnipeg Police with the assistance of Calgary and Edmonton Police and the RCMP have been investigating a ring of criminals who have been involved in break-ins and thefts across the city and into rural Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC.

On September 2, 2016, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Calgary, Alberta.  Stolen property was recovered which included RCMP uniforms and related police equipment. 

On October 11, 2016, nine Manitoba suspects were arrested and charged with numerous property-related offences. Additional search warrants were executed in Winnipeg and in Saskatchewan. 

Although several suspects have been arrested police say that a number of others have been identified and warrants have been issued for their arrest. In total 20 suspects face more than 140 criminal charges in relation to the theft ring.

So far police say they have recovered more than $300,000 in stolen property including vehicles, camper trailers, police equipment, snow blowers, lawn care equipment, building materials, new tires, tools, key cutting machines, electronics, blank passports, and blank birth certificates.

“Project Heavy Metal” is still ongoing as police continue to investigate.

-News4 Staff-