Preliminary hearing scheduled for one of six accused in alleged auto theft, re-vinning operation

A fourth suspect, Quinn Olson, 49, of Red Deer, is already scheduled for trial in Red Deer Court of King’s Bench from Oct. 20-Nov. 7, 2025.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) Auto Crimes unit says it arrested four of the six suspects between June 18 and July 2, 2024, with a total of 20 charges laid. ALERT alleges the group was involved in a sophisticated auto theft and re-vinning operation, which was based at a rural location in Parkland County near Evansburg, Alta.

A fifth suspect, Joseph Chlala, had been wanted for murder since September 2023. Chlala, 24, of Calgary, is slated to find out if his case has enough evidence to go to trial when he has a preliminary hearing in Edmonton Court of Justice from Sept. 15-19, 2025.

ALERT’s investigation began in June 2023 when a stolen vehicle was identified and linked to an Edmonton homicide investigation. The vehicle was then connected to a rural address, which was purporting to be an auto detailer but in actuality, was being used to re-VIN and reprogram stolen vehicles for resale and exportation.

ALERT says it identified a total of 20 stolen vehicles and one stolen car-hauler trailer. Police say 11 of the 20 stolen vehicles were recovered, representing a total value of approximately $1 million. The organization says other vehicles are suspected of having been exported to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

ALERT received assistance from Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Red Deer RCMP, Sylvan Lake RCMP, and RCMP K-Division Auto Theft unit.

Six people were charged:

Joseph Chlala: charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, and criminal mischief;

Michael Labar, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, tampering with a vehicle identification number, criminal mischief, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.

Quinn Olson, is charged with uttering a forged document.

Sherry Mackenzie, is charged with trafficking property obtained by crime, using a forged document, fraud, possession of proceeds of crime, and laundering proceeds of crime.

Cherie Baptiste, is charged with possession of proceeds of crime.

Zarina Mir-Wais, 33, of Red Deer, is charged with uttering a forged document.

An arrest warrant was issued for Zarina Mir-Wais on July 8, 2024, and remains outstanding.

Anyone with information on this investigation, or the whereabouts of Mir-Wais, is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

by Sheldon Spackman

Preliminary hearing scheduled for one of six accused in alleged auto theft, re-vinning operation

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