Alberta RCMP Dismantle Stolen Vehicle Resale Operation in Swan Hills
Alberta RCMP have successfully dismantled a sophisticated stolen vehicle resale operation, resulting in the arrest of five individuals from Swan Hills who now face a combined total of 44 criminal charges. The operation, which culminated on January 22, 2026, involved multiple RCMP units working together to execute search warrants at several locations in the Swan Hills area.
Multi-Month Investigation Uncovers Criminal Network
The arrests followed a comprehensive multi-month investigation focused on stolen vehicles, altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and the fraudulent trafficking of stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. Officers from the Swan Hills RCMP detachment collaborated with the Western Alberta District RCMP crime reduction unit and other specialized units to bring this operation to a close.
During the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement recovered a significant cache of stolen property. This included multiple stolen vehicles such as a pick-up truck, a trailer, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and snowmobiles. Additionally, officers seized three firearms, an illegal crossbow, ammunition, and approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine.
Detailed Charges Against the Accused
The five individuals arrested face a wide range of charges related to their alleged involvement in the criminal operation:
- Lucas Gates, 33: Charged with three counts of altering a vehicle identification number, two counts of forgery, two counts of fraud under $5,000, fraud greater than $5,000, and possession of a forged document.
- Valerie Koyle, 32: Charged with two counts of altering a vehicle identification number, fraud greater than $5,000, fraud under $5,000, trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of a forged document.
- Dean Brendel, 35: Charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, three counts of unsafe storage of a firearm, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, altering a vehicle identification number, fraud under $5,000, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a prohibited firearm with accessible ammunition and possession of a forged document.
- Hanmarie Roberts, 35: Charged with three counts of unsafe storage of firearms, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a prohibited firearm with accessible ammunition.
- Vernon Schubinski, 63: Charged with four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and three counts of altering a vehicle identification number.
Court Appearances and Legal Proceedings
Following their arrests, Koyle, Roberts, and Schubinski were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on March 24. Gates was also released and is expected to appear in court on February 10, while Brendel was released and scheduled for a court appearance on Tuesday. All five accused will be attending court proceedings in Barrhead to face the numerous charges against them.
This significant bust highlights the ongoing efforts of Alberta RCMP to combat organized crime and protect communities from the impacts of stolen vehicle operations. The recovery of stolen property and the subsequent charges demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement actions in addressing complex criminal networks.
