Red Deer man accused in alleged auto theft and re-vinning operation, ordered to stand trial

A second co-accused, Joseph Chlala, 25, of Calgary, sees his matters return to Edmonton Court of King’s Bench for arraignment on April 10, 2026, while a third co-accused, Michael Edward Labar, 49, of Red Deer, has his matters scheduled for decision in Evansburg Court of Justice on April 13, 2026.

Previously, a 12-month conditional sentence was given to Sherry Mackenzie, 68, of Red Deer, who was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on Sept. 15, 2025, after being convicted on one count of laundering proceeds of crime. Four other charges against her were withdrawn, while she was also ordered to pay restitution.

A fifth co-accused, Cherie Baptiste, 42, of Red Deer, had her charges withdrawn on Sept. 10, 2025.

A sixth person charged, Zarina Mir-Wais, 33, of Red Deer, has had a warrant out for her arrest since July 8, 2024, with currently no upcoming court appearances scheduled.

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.

Mounties say Joseph Chlala, had been wanted for murder since September 2023.

ALERT’s investigation began in June 2023 when a stolen vehicle was identified and linked to an Edmonton homicide investigation. During that 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 alleges.

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 the RCMP K-Division Auto Theft unit.

Six people were initially charged:

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

Michael Labar, was originally 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, was originally charged with uttering a forged document.

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

Cherie Baptiste, was originally charged with possession of proceeds of crime.

Zarina Mir-Wais, was originally charged with uttering a forged document.

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

Red Deer man accused in alleged auto theft and re-vinning operation, ordered to stand trial

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