Trial date set for Red Deer man charged in organized auto theft and re-vinning operation

Co-accused, Joseph Chlala, 25, of Calgary, is scheduled for a jury trial in Edmonton Court of King’s Bench on Feb. 1, 2027.

Previously, a second co-accused, Michael Edward Labar, 49, formerly of Red Deer, was given a two-year conditional sentence and 18 months of probation on April 13, 2026.

He was sentenced in Evansburg Court of Justice and was also ordered to pay a $200 surcharge.

He was convicted on one count of trafficking in property obtained by crime, while seven other counts were withdrawn.

Labar’s conditions included, in part:

Residing at a specific residence in Penticton, B.C.

House arrest for the first 12 months, abide by a curfew for the last 12 months

Attend counselling or treatment as directed

No contact or communication with his co-accused

Not possess or consume alcohol or other intoxicating substances

Not possess any weapons

Not possess any identity documents not belonging to himself

Complete 216 hours of community service

Must not be involved in the sale of a motor vehicle without prior approval from supervisor

Must not be present in a motor vehicle, unless the registered owner or the vehicle owner is present

Before that, a 12-month conditional sentence was given to Sherry Mackenzie, 69, 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 Four other charges against her were withdrawn, while she was also ordered to pay restitution.

A fourth co-accused, Cherie Baptiste, 42, of Red Deer, had her charges withdrawn on Sept. 10, 2025.

A sixth person charged, Zarina Mir-Wais, 34, 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 Zarina 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

Trial date set for Red Deer man charged in organized auto theft and re-vinning operation

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