LAC LA BICHE - Social distancing hasn't kept criminals away from crime. Lac La Biche RCMP have responded to several calls in recent weeks where vehicles and equipment have been stolen from properties around the region.
Cars, off-road vehicles, trailers and equipment have been recovered from several cases.
In the first of the files, on April 9, a 1992 Honda TRX 350 quad, a black utility trailer, Honda generator, two welding machines, a collector's John Deere radio and various tools were stolen from a rural residence southwest of the Lac la Biche hamlet.
Just hours after the report was made, RCMP spotted a quad matching the description of the stolen one along Highway 36 just south of Lac La Biche. When police tried to stop the vehicle, the rider drove it away from police. A short search located the quad at a residence in Bonesville.
Corey Gladue, 28, has been charged with flight from police, two counts of failure to comply with court conditions and possession of stolen property. He has been remanded into custody until his court date later this year.
Three days later, Lac La Biche RCMP responded to a tip that the black utility trailer was at a residence on the Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Police went to the residence, secured the trailer and returned it to the owners. Through the investigation, RCMP were able to identify a suspect and found him at another residence. Police also found a number of items they say are stolen property, including a welding machine, various tools and a generator.
Tommy Gladue, 50, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime and trafficking in property obtained by crime. Gladue was released on a $2,000 promise to appear at his first court appearance slated for July 6.
Sitting in a Celica
Lac La Biche RCMP responding to a complaint of suspicious activity south of the community along Highway 36 arrested two people in connection to a car reported stolen from Edmonton.
Police say on April 17 at 10 am they responded to a call about a car parked near a residence south of Lac La Biche. When they arrived, they identified a 2001 Toyota Celica as being stolen. The two occupants inside the vehicle, a man and a woman, were arrested.
Cason Monias, 19, has been charged with possession of stolen property and three counts of failing to comply with probation orders. Gina Huppie, 33, has been charged with possession of stolen property.
Monias and Huppie were both released and have Lac La Biche Provincial Court appearances on June 29.
Panic room
Three Lac La Biche RCMP vehicles raced to the Squirrely's gas station last Friday after the store's panic alarm was tripped.
Police say the call came in at about 6 pm, and initiated a quick response. Police arrived to find that an intoxicated woman had gone into the store's washroom and was refusing to leave.
Police say the woman was removed from the store, taken to cells and held until she was sober.
* Story updated 9:06 pm May 6 to correct first name spelling of accused to CASON Monias. We apologize for the error.
