Calgary man charged with stealing 45K worth of rental equipment

Police have charged a Calgary man with stealing $44,500 worth of equipment after he allegedly provided false names to multiple tool rental stores in order to secure the property.

The first incident happened on Oct. 31 at Rogers Rent-All, 11915 16th St, N.E., where the man obtained three generators.

He then went back to that location on Nov. 5, Nov. 6 and Nov. 19, and rented several more generators, a cordless mini-grinder, saws, chainsaws and backpack blowers.

Police say he also entered United Rentals, 7120 Blackfoot Trail S.E., on Nov. 4,  and rented out generators as well as cut-off machines.

The man then obtained several pieces of large construction equipment at Canwest Concrete Cutting and Coring Inc., 5025 13th St. S.E., between Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

Police say he used the names Jeff Cox and Tyler Anderson at the rental stores.

He was believed to have driven a orange, 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, Daytona edition, which was bearing the licence plate VEB40.

Police tracked this vehicle to a residence in southwest Calgary and found several items linked to the thefts.

As well, equipment was also recovered from Stephenson's Rental Services, which is located near Balzac, Alta.

Police say the rental store is being investigated.

Michael Christian Jones, 41, faces 20 charges, which include fraud, possession of stolen property, trafficking in stolen goods, identity fraud, using a forged document, possessing an identity document and drug-related offences.

Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or submit tips to Crime Stoppers.