SMOKY LAKE - Vehicles, ATVs, tools, and a loaded rifle were seized by Smoky Lake RCMP after a bait trap was triggered.
The bait trap included an item being stolen that was trackable by RCMP on May 14. The GPS coordinates attached to the item led police to a property in Kikino Métis Settlement and on May 17, Smoky Lake RCMP, along with Lac La Biche RCMP, Athabasca RCMP Traffic Services, RCMP Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction and RCMP Police Dog Services attended the property.
Police arrested five people.
Items seized by RCMP included three vehicles that had been reported stolen, four ATVS that had been reported stolen, multiple stolen tools and equipment, and a loaded STAG 10 carbine rifle.
Tyler Deschambeau, 34, of Lac La Biche, Rory Cardinal, 34, of Kikino Métis Settlement, and Tracey Whitford, 50, of no fixed address, were arrested. They were charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and two counts of possession of an unauthorized firearm. Additionally, Cardinal was charged with possession of a weapon contrary to court order, according to information from RCMP.
"Deschambeau, Cardinal and Whitford were brought before a justice of the peace. Deschambeau and Cardinal were remanded into custody are to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Bonnyville on May 20 . . . while Whitford was released, to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Lac La Biche on June 9."
The other two people arrested were released and charges are pending, according to RCMP.
“This file is a great reminder of how your Alberta RCMP can come together in order to help protect your property by arresting prolific property crime offenders,” said Sgt. Anita Doktor, detachment commander of the Smoky Lake RCMP. “Thanks to teamwork, investigational techniques and interagency cooperation, we are able to continuously provide a great service to our communities."
Smoky Lake RCMP is encouraging the public to continue to reach out when goods are stolen, and providing information related to property crime or other criminal activity in the area.
Anyone with information regarding crime is asked to contact the Smoky Lake RCMP at 780-656-3550 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS).
