Collaboration yielded results after a search warrant on a rural property on Muriel Lake.
A $130,000 boat was recovered.
On May 28, the Bonnyville General Investigations Section (GIS) executed a search warrant in relation to information regarding the possible location of a stolen 2015 Super Air Natutique boat, worth approximately $130,000.
The boat had been reported stolen out of the Acehson, AB area in April.
With the help of the Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), the Bonnyville detachment, and the RCMP Auto Theft Unit, the boat was recovered, in addition to a loaded 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic rifle with a prohibited magazine cartridge, body armour, and brass knuckles.
These weapons were seized after a search warrant on a rural property on Muriel Lake.
A 30-year-old male has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, altering a vehicle identification number, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of careless storage of a firearm, and two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
A female was also taken into custody as a result of the search.
Bonnyville RCMP Sgt. Kim Hillier said collaboration was key when it came to the success of the investigation.
“It’s almost necessary in this climate. Criminals don’t follow detachment borders; they don’t stay within the Bonnyville or Cold Lake area. Our EADCRU team is awesome. They can collaborate with the units inside of those detachment areas and really, the ability to have those extra trained bodies on scene when you’re going into a situation where there really was no high expectation of firearms… We go in prepared for that, but it’s a wake-up call as well when you find firearms of such a heavy calibre,” she expressed.
Weapons found during search of vehicle
A 25-year-old Goodsoil, SK man was being arrested on outstanding warrants on May 28, when local RCMP located multiple weapons inside of his truck.
Police were responding to a suspicious vehicle complaint at 4 a.m. at the La Corey Esso when they discovered the driver was wanted on outstanding warrants.
After arresting the suspect, RCMP conducted a search of the vehicle and located a sawed-off, double-barrelled hinge or break action shotgun, a Mossberg Maverick shotgun, and a Savage 7mm rifle.
Rifle in plain view
A routine traffic stop ended with a 49-year-old Tofield man being charged with weapons offences.
“When the member stopped him, there was a rifle in plain view,” detailed Hillier.
Michael Chapman is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon contrary to an order, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use/storage of a firearm, two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking, possession of methamphetamine, failure or refusing to comply with an alcohol demand, having an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway, operating a motor vehicle without registration, and transporting liquor in an open container.
A surprise guest
A local company had a surprise guest staying at their vacant shop.
On May 30, an employee attended the business' property when, to their surprise, they found a fifth wheel trailer hooked up to the site's power and water.
The building had also been broken into.
According to Hillier, "the property is a secured, vacant facility."
Police arrested a 41-year-old Bonnyville man who has been charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime, theft over $5,000, and failing to comply with an undertaking.
Vehicles reported stolen
A number of vehicles were reported stolen out of the Bonnyville detachment area.
A blue 2000 Dodge Dakota was taken from 47 Ave. in Bonnyville on May 27. The vehicle, which remains outstanding, had license plate NXA 748 at the time of the theft.
At 4:30 a.m. on May 24, a Chevy Silverado was stolen from the 37 St. 7-Eleven.
“After initial patrols, the vehicle wasn’t located, however it was later found in the Elk Point area," explained Hillier. “It was abandoned, but there are some possible suspects.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the RCMP at 780-343-7200.
On May 29, a 2007 brown Ford F350 was reported missing from a field in Iron River. At the time it was taken, the truck had the license plate BNL 6763.
RCMP launch crime prevention calendar
Alberta RCMP are hoping the creation of a crime prevention calendar will help cutback on crime across the province.
According to Hillier, the new initiative is similar to their traffic safety calendar.
"We will be building monthly initiatives around focused crime prevention," she said. “We’re pretty excited about that, because it gives us a uniform crime reduction focus across Alberta."
