Bashaw RCMP officers will get credit for nabbing a pair of suspects, but they also are handing out kudos for a pair of huge assists on the play.
Two men from Edmonton are in custody after Bashaw RCMP were called to a break and enter in progress at a property east of Bashaw in Stettler County around 4 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers confronted the two suspects who promptly fled in a vehicle that police would later find out was stolen. However, a muddy field nearby stopped the suspects in their tracks, but the pair attempted to flee on foot.
At this point, an RCMP dog services teams was called out and, with the assistance of some area residents and member of the Stettler RCMP, the suspects were contained and tracked down in the valley surrounding the Battle River.
One suspect was located and arrested by Bashaw officers while the other suspect was apprehended by the dog services team after breaking into a nearby outbuilding and attempting to hide there.
Kody Kenneth Bock, 33, and Shane Albert O’Dea, 38, both from Edmonton, are facing multiple charges including break and enter, obstruction, resisting arrest, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of methamphetamine. In addition, Bock has been charged with driving while prohibited and another charge of break and enter, while O’Dea is facing an added resisting arrest count from his encounter with officers and the police dog.
The pair were assessed and treated by EMS at the Bashaw detachment for frostbite to some extremities, with O’Dea being transported to hospital for further treatment. Both men were transported to Red Deer where Bock was denied his release and remains in custody pending a court appearance, while O’Dea was released on conditions.
Bashaw RCMP commander Sgt. Bruce Holliday explained this is another example of how the community is helping curb this kind of crime.
“Both men have extensive criminal records that include similar types of property crimes,” he said.
“But, thanks to the vigilant community members working with the Bashaw RCMP, the result was the successful apprehension of some prolific property offenders and a fine example of what an engaged community can do.”