Calgary man charged with stealing 45K worth of rental equipment

Police have charged a Calgary man with stealing $44,500 worth of equipmentafterhe allegedly providedfalse names to multiple toolrental storesin order to secure the property.

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

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

Police say he alsoentered 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 equipmentat 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 Calgaryand found several items linked to the thefts.

As well, equipment was also recovered from Stephenson's Rental Services, which is locatednear 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 toCrime Stoppers.