INNISFAIL – Mounties have arrested eight men following a two-month long initiative into the ongoing battle against copper wire theft across the region and province.
One suspect is from Innisfail while two others were found to be in possession of break-in tools in the Red Deer County area.
In another case, Mounties said damage and losses in the Olds area have cost almost $100,000.
RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said in a media release that the initiative against copper wire thieves began in October through a partnership with industry and community leaders, and involved several RCMP units including Alberta RCMP’s Eastern and Central District’s crime reduction units, K Division Criminal Analysis section and the Community Safety and Well-being branch.
Savinkoff said there was a focus to determine areas being targeted and to develop strategies to investigate, identify and ultimately arrest individuals who were causing the most harm related to the theft of precious metals.
“As part of the initiative, the Alberta RCMP utilized a variety of techniques, including the use of a high altitude surveillance plane (HASP), plain clothes investigation units and the use of bait equipment,” said Savinkoff. “Throughout the initiative the HASP responded to 20 different calls to service, most of which resulted in arrests.”
Savinkoff said the initiative resulted in numerous Criminal Code charges being laid, specifically ones related to rural oil and gas lease-site break and enters. They included:
• Peter Walker, 39, of Innisfail, and Douglas MacQuarrie, 48, of Red Deer, were charged on Dec. 9 with breaking and entering, and mischief under $5,000. Damages and losses were initially under $5,000, with further investigation revealing costs to be near $100,000 in the Olds area.
• Braiden Thorson, 29, of Red Deer, was charged on Dec. 13 with breaking and entering, flight from a peace officer, possession of stolen property over $5,000, and driving while disqualified in the Rimbey area;
• Brody Kaus, 34, of Red Deer was charged on Dec. 13 with breaking and entering, mischief over $5,000, theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break-in instruments, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and fraudulent concealment in the Rimbey area;
• Lyle MacLachlan, 60, of Red Deer was charged on Dec. 15 with breaking and entering, mischief under $5,000, and possession of break-in tools in the Red Deer County area;
• Dylan Goodman, 36, of Red Deer, was charged on Dec. 15 with breaking and entering, mischief under $5,000, and possession of break-in tools in the Red Deer County area;
• Johnathon Arther Staudt, 36, of Forestburg, was charged on Dec. 12 with fraudulent concealment, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of methamphetamine, and possessing break-in instruments in the Killam Forestburg area; and
• Kenneth Staudt, 35, of Galahad, was charged on Dec. 12 with breaking and entering, mischief over $5,000, theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possessing break-in instruments in the Killam/Forestburg area.
All eight accused have been scheduled to appear in court in January.
Savinkoff said while Alberta RCMP is committed to use all resources available to ensure the safety of Albertans and their property, it is important that everyone do their part to help.
He said that includes laser engraving metals, securing properties with fences and cameras, questioning suspicious sellers and reporting all suspicious activities.
Anyone with information about crimes in their communities is asked to call their local RCMP detachment.
Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
