Bashaw and Stettler RCMP responded to several reports of theft and suspicious persons in the rural areas of Stettler, Camrose and Lacombe counties on July 30.
The previous day, Stettler RCMP was called out to a theft of a truck and skidsteer in the town of Stettler at a local business. The owner of the vehicle was assaulted while confronting the suspect, who then fled.
With the assistance of vigilant rural residents, RCMP were able to locate and arrest two suspects and recover a stolen vehicle in the Bashaw area. A 39 year old male remains in custody, and a 64 year old male will appear in Stettler Provincial Court on September 12, 2019.
Later on July 30, the owner encountered the same suspect operating the original stolen truck and skidsteer north of Big Valley in the County of Stettler.
Both a male and female suspect fled the scene and RCMP Police Dog Services were deployed but unable to locate them. Hours later, Three Hills RCMP received numerous erratic driving complaints and intercepted the female suspect in a stolen vehicle.
29-year-old Caryne Maree Perry of southern Alberta was arrested and charged with several offences including Flight from Peace Officer, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Stolen Property.
Perry was remanded into custody to appear August 6, 2019 in Strathmore Provincial Court.
The following day, on July 31, the male suspect was located in Big Valley and arrested without incident. 28-year-old Cameron Kenneth Hayter of southern Alberta was charged with several offences including Assault, Theft over $5000, and Possession of Stolen Property. Hayter was remanded into custody to appear in Stettler Provincial Court on August 8, 2019.
These four individuals have been identified as repeat property offenders out of southern Alberta who are alleged to be responsible for a number of crimes in a very short period, travelling to rural communities without ties to any of the communities affected.
It was through effective coordination and response by investigators from Stettler, Bashaw, Three Hills, and with the support of Air Services, Police Dog Services, County of Stettler Enforcement Services, numerous tips and information from local citizens, that these four individuals were apprehended. Three stolen trucks, and a skid steer were recovered.
RCMP remind members of the community that crime prevention is a shared responsibility and play an important role in preventing criminal activity.
o Lock up houses, sheds, vehicles and any other property that is easily accessible
o Never leave running vehicles unlocked. Nearly half of the vehicle thefts in Alberta over the past year have had the
keys left inside
o Take photos and record serial numbers of property
o If you see or suspect suspicious activity notify police immediately