BONNYVILLE – Members of the Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit (LCRU) were conducting patrols on Feb. 22 in the Bonnyville area when they came across a Dodge Dakota that seemed to be trying to evade police.
“Officers conducted a stop and found that the vehicle wasn’t registered and also found over $5,000 in stolen copper wire,” said Bonnyville RCMP Sgt. Kim Hillier. “Upon further investigation, officers found that a nearby property had been broken into and multiple vehicle parts had been stolen.”
Ralph Calder, 44, from Lacombe was charged with a break and enter to a commercial property, theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a schedule I substance (believed to be Methamphetamine) and mischief damage to property.
RCMP also charged 41-year-old Shane Erickson of Edmonton with a break and enter to a commercial property, theft under $5,000, possession of property for the purpose of trafficking, possession of break-in tools, mischief and possession of schedule I substance (methamphetamine).
Both men were brought before a justice and released on a $1,000 and $2,500 no cash bail respectively.
Auto shop broken into
An alarm at a local business alerted RCMP to a break-in. A white 2010 Chevrolet 2500 HD was stolen from the Tech Check Auto Shop located on 50th Ave., which was added to the police monitoring system.
The file remains under investigation.
RCMP locate man on warrants
“During an ongoing investigation, members of the Bonnyville detachment and the LCRU were at a rural property when they located a male who was on outstanding warrants,” said Hillier. “The vehicle the male was in was found to be stolen and during the arrest, the male resisted police officers.”
Kyle Fletcher, 33, from Mundare and 31-year-old Dean Gamache of La Corey were arrested on scene and both face charges of possession of property obtained by crime.
Fletcher also faces multiple significant criminal code charges, including possession of a weapon, attempt to disarm a police officer, assault while resisting arrest, and failing to comply with release orders.
Both have been remanded into custody.
Camera stolen from local business
A complainant reported on Feb. 25 that a camera had been stolen at Paisano’s Pizza House.
“RCMP obtained and reviewed the footage and the suspect has been identified. Members will be seeking a warrant for the suspect's arrest if not located over the next few days,” Hillier stated.
Driver arrested
“A Bonnyville member initiated a traffic stop on 50th Ave. in Bonnyville for a vehicle with an unauthorized license plate,” Hillier said. “The driver, a 28-year-old from Cochrane, was found to be on a Canada-wide driving prohibition. The driver was arrested and released roadside for a court date on June 1.”
