RCMP Charge two Suspects for break and enter – Update

May 21, 2022
M.D. of Ranchland, Alberta

News release

At approximately 4:15 p.m., on May 20, 2022, Nanton and Claresholm RCMP members located and arrested an individual without incident in relation to the warrants issued in this matter, plus another two additional warrants for Fail to Comply with Probation.

The individual was taken before a justice of the peace for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing. He was released on two Release Orders with conditions, of which one was a $500 Promise to Pay and the other a $1500 Promise to Pay.

The individual is scheduled to appear in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on June 15, 2022, to answer to the break and enter related charges.

The Nanton and Claresholm RCMP thank the public for their involvement which was instrumental in this matter.

Background:

May 20, 2022

RCMP Charge two Suspects for break and enter

At 4:10 a.m., on May 18, 2022, RCMP received reports of a Break and Enter in progress at a large compressor station located near the junction of Highway 22 and Highway 520 in the M.D. of Ranchland. RCMP members from Nanton and Claresholm responded and upon their arrival, two suspects fled on foot into wooded areas. An operation was initiated to apprehend the suspects, which included support from RCMP Police Dog Services. Within minutes, one suspect surrendered to police and was arrested without incident. The second suspect was not located despite an exhaustive search of the rural area.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had cut and removed significant amounts of copper wire from the site, stole various other items and equipment, all which were loaded into a nearby suspect vehicle.

A 40-year-old individual of Nanton, Alta. was charged with the following:

  • Mischief over $5000 contrary to Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code.
  • Break and Enter and Commit Theft contrary to Section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 contrary to Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code.

The 40-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing; he was released on a $2000 Promise to Pay Release Order with conditions and scheduled to appear in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on June 8, 2022, to answer to the charges.

Further investigation identified the second and outstanding suspect, as a 28-year-old individual of Nanton. Warrants have been issued for the individual arrest with the following charges:

  • Mischief over $5000 contrary to Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code
  • Break and Enter and Commit Theft contrary to Section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 contrary to Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code
  • Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code

Sgt. Robert HARMS of the Claresholm RCMP stated "Anti-theft precautions, such as on site surveillance cameras and close monitoring of the site by staff, were key to the apprehension of one suspect, the identification of another, and the quick recovery of all stolen property."

RCMP continue to investigate this matter including indications that a passing motorist may have picked up the 28-year-old individual from near the location and provided transportation out of the area. If you have any information regarding this matter, please contact the Nanton RCMP at 403.646.5722 or Claresholm RCMP at 403.625.4445. If you wish to remain anonymous, you 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.

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Contact information

Alberta RCMP Media Relations
780-509-3970

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