At approximately 8:15 a.m. on April 12, 2022, Nanton and Claresholm RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious occupied vehicle parked on the side of Range Road 281 near Nanton. RCMP members, including members of the Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), responded to the complaint. On arrival, members found a male and female sleeping inside a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, which had significant collision damage. The investigation found that the two occupants had several outstanding warrants for their arrests. Further investigation found that the suspect vehicle was involved in a hit and run incident earlier in the morning. It was also found that both suspects were in possession of various quantities and types of illicit drugs, including suspected Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine.
A 29-year-old individual of no fixed address was arrested, found to be on a Release Order, and had seven outstanding warrants for arrest. The 29-year-old individual was further charged with the following:
- Possess a Controlled Substance Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3 counts.
- Fail to Comply with a Release Order Contrary to Section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2 counts.
- Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident Contrary to Section 69(1)(a) of the Traffic Safety Act.
- Operate uninsured Motor Vehicle on a Hwy Contrary to Section 54(1)(a) of the Traffic Safety Act.
- Operate unregistered Motor Vehicle on a Hwy Contrary to Section 52(1)(a) of the Traffic Safety Act.
- Operate a Motor Vehicle without a Subsisting Drivers Licence Contrary to Section 51(a) of the Traffic Safety Act.
- Permit improper use of licence plate on Motor Vehicle Contrary to Section 53(1)(d) of the Traffic Safety Act.
A 39-year-old individual of Lethbridge Alberta was arrested and had 16 outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was further charged with the following:
- Possess a Controlled Substance Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act x 3 counts.
- Possession of a Smoke Grenade Contrary to a Prohibition Order Contrary to Section 127(1) of the Criminal Code.
Both individuals were taken before a Justice of the Peace for Judicial Interim Release Hearings. The 29-year-old individual was released on a $750 Promise to Pay Release Order. The 39-year-old individual was held in custody on a $500 Cash Bail Warrant of Committal. Both are scheduled to appear in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on May 4, 2022, to answer to the charges.
RCMP thank the public for their involvement in this matter. RCMP further encourage the public to report all suspicious activity. If you have any information regarding this matter or any other criminal matter, please contact the Nanton RCMP at 403.646.5722, Claresholm RCMP at 403.625.4445, or your local police service. 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.