A four-month investigation into an Eckville man turned up a glut of stolen property in Clearwater County recently, police reported last week.
An investigation into the suspect began in May, and was carried out by the Southern Alberta Auto Theft Unit along with Rocky Mountain House RCMP.
At the end of the investigation, police from Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House and Calgary, along with assistance from an Emergency Response Team, executed two search warrants at the Clearwater County property.
A number of stolen items were recovered, including a travel trailer, a Ford pickup truck, two motorcycles, vehicle parts, licence plates, cigarettes and firearms.
Police say the property recovered is linked to a number of break-ins throughout the region, and allege that the suspect had been selling the vehicles to unsuspecting buyers.
Before executing the warrants, police attempted a traffic stop on the suspect, who fled and was later located and arrested.
Nelson Ryan Gomes, 29, of Eckville, was charged with flight from a police officer; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; possession of methamphetamine; trafficking property obtained by crime; four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; five counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and failure to comply with conditions.
He was released with conditions, and had a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 9 in Rocky Mountain House.
Police are continuing to investigate, and ask anyone with information on the matter to contact Cpl. Lindsey Anderson of the Southern Alberta Auto Theft Unit at 403-420-4953.