Taber, Alta. – In mid November, the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU) and the Taber RCMP entered into a joint investigation after numerous break, enter and thefts were reported outside the city of Taber, Alta. in the rural area.
On Nov. 17, 2021, at 8:41 p.m., Taber RCMP responded to a 911 call of a report of a theft that had just occurred at a rural property in the Municipal District of Taber, Alta. in the area of Range Road 154 and Township Road 94.
Shortly after the initial 911 call, a second 911 call was received from a second victim for an incident in the same area where an unknown suspect had pointed a firearm at him from a pick-up truck.
Taber RCMP with the assistance of Taber Police Service, set up containment in the area while additional resources including the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) were deployed to assist.
The preliminary investigation determined there were two suspects involved.
PDS located one suspect approximately two miles from the scene. He was arrested without incident and identified as a 42-year-old male of Calgary. The second suspect was identified as a 36-year-old male of no fixed address. The 36-year-old male was not immediately located, and warrants for his arrest in relation to the incident were obtained.
The 42-year-old male has been charged with the following:
- Break and enter
- Theft under $5000 (x3)
- Mischief under $5000
- Operation while prohibited
- Flight from police
- Possess break in instruments
- Fail to comply with release order (x3)
- Breach of probation (x4)
- Possession of a controlled substance (CDSA)
- Operate a motor vehicle with no insurance (TSA)
After a judicial hearing, the 42-year-old male did not speak to bail and was remanded to next appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Dec. 22, 2021.
On Nov. 22, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m., SACRU located the 36-year-old male with two other males in a vehicle in south Calgary.
SACRU moved in to arrest the 36-year-old male at a gas station in the area of 42 Avenue Southeast and Blackfoot Trail; however, he fled on foot and a chase ensued.
He was caught by police but broke free and took off again. When the police caught up with him a second time, he produced a knife towards the police officer in a threatening manner and then continued to flee.
The 36-year-old male ran across 42 Avenue, through a parking lot and attempted to climb over a chain link fence. He became tangled in razor wire. SACRU arrested him and freed him from the razor wire. He suffered lacerations from being entangled, which required medical attention.
The 36-year-old male was taken to hospital where he was treated and released back into police custody.
The 36-year-old male in relation to these incidents, has been charged with the following:
- Pointing a firearm
- Possessing a dangerous weapon
- Theft Under (x3)
- Mischief Under
- Break and enter to commit theft
- Possession of Stolen Property (x6)
- Resist arrest
- Assault Peace Officer with weapon
- Possess break in instruments
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to public
- Resist a Peace Officer
- Drive with no insurance (TSA)
The 36-year-old male was also arrested on outstanding warrants from an unrelated occurrence for:
- Utter threats
- Assault
- Assault with weapon
He was held for a judicial interim hearing and did not speak to bail. He will next be appearing in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Nov. 25, 2021 via CCTV.
A 43-year-old male of Calgary was arrested and has been charged with the following:
- Possession of Stolen Property (x5)
- Possess break in instruments
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to public
- Fail to comply with court order
- Possession of a controlled substance
- He also was arrested on several outstanding warrants; some offences include the following:
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Possess break-in instruments
- Break and enter to commit theft
- Fail to attend court
The 43-year-old male was remanded to custody after a judicial release hearing and will next be appearing in Calgary Provincial Court on Nov. 24, 2021.
The third male fled the scene and was not located.
Five stolen licence plates as well as a substance believed to be fentanyl and break-in tools were seized.
SACRU are looking for the owners of a sniper air soft rifle and a pellet gun that were also recovered. Please contact the Crime Reduction Unit at 587-439-3259 or 403-462-7217 if you believe these items may be yours.
As these matters are now before the courts, no further details surrounding the investigation can be provided.