A joint three-month investigation by the RCMP’s Auto Theft Unit, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) Auto Theft Section and Strathmore RCMP has resulted in the arrest of two men accused of operating an automobile chop shop in Rocky View County, according to RCMP Spokesperson Corporal Sharon Franks.
Richard Ferber, 74, of Black Diamond and Harris Parent, 68, of Calgary are accused of storing $250,000 worth of stolen property including vehicles, travel trailers, ATVs, farm equipment, and saddles in a Quonset hut located on a property near Conrich, northeast of Chestermere. They were arrested on Oct. 18, according to Franks.
Ferber faces one count of Possession of Stolen Property for the Purpose of Trafficking and 11 counts of Possession of Stolen Property. At the time of his arrest, Ferber was on parole for a previous conviction according to Franks.
Due to the Freedom of Information Act Ferber’s prior conviction cannot be released.
“He was out (of custody), bound by a court document, and he’s since had that revoked and is back in custody,” Franks said. “He will remain in custody (at the Calgary Remand Centre) until his first (court) appearance in Strathmore Provincial Court on Dec. 16.
Parent faces one count of Possession of Stolen Property. He was released on bail and will also appear in Strathmore Provincial Court on Dec. 16, according to Franks.
Franks said Parent and Ferber are known to police, however, she could not release any information about their previous charges or convictions.
“I don’t know how long they’d been operating prior to RCMP receiving a tip from the public, but I know the investigation was a three-month investigation,” Franks said.
Franks said investigators are in the process of identifying the owners of the stolen property so it can be returned.
If you have any information on any crime, call your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
