By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

property crime charges

Four arrested in central Alberta crime spree

Aug 3, 2019 | 12:41 PM

Four people have been charged in connection to a crime spree that had RCMP from three central Alberta detachments working to catch the culprits.

On July 29, Stettler Mounties responded to the theft of a truck and skidsteer from a local business. The owner of the vehicle was allegedly assaulted while confronting the suspect, who later fled.

The next day, members from Bashaw and Stettler responded to several reports of suspicious persons in the rural areas around Stettler, Camrose and Lacombe counties.

Thanks to the watchful eyes of residents, RCMP were able to locate and arrest two suspects and recover a stolen vehicle in the Bashaw area. A 39-year-old male who remains in custody, and a 64-year-old male will appear in Stettler Provincial Court on September 12.

Later on July 30, the owner of the business in Stettler encountered the same suspect operating the original stolen truck and skidsteer north of Big Valley. Both a male and female suspect fled the scene, and evaded the search of police dog services.

Ground School Training

New aviation career pathway elevates opportunities for students

6h ago

4-7 p.m. Wednesday

City to host downtown parking feedback session

8h ago

Albertafirebans.ca

Fire advisories, restrictions, and bans in place for much of central Alberta

9h ago

Hours later, Three Hills RCMP received numerous complaints of an erratic driver, and eventually intercepted the female suspect in a stolen vehicle. Caryne Perry, 29, of southern Alberta was remanded into custody and will appear in Strathmore Provincial Court August 6.

On July 31, the male suspect was located in Big Valley and arrested without incident. Cameron Hayter, 28, of southern Alberta, was charged with several offences and was remanded to appear in Stettler Provincial Court on August 8.

“These four individuals have been identified as repeat property offenders out of southern Alberta who are alleged to be responsible for a number of crimes in a very short period, travelling to rural communities without ties to any of the communities affected,” RCMP state in a release.

“It was through effective coordination and response by investigators from Stettler, Bashaw, Three Hills, and with the support of Air Services, Police Dog Services, County of Stettler Enforcement Services, numerous tips and information from local citizens, that these four individuals were apprehended. Three stolen trucks, and a skid steer were recovered.”

RCMP also remind residents to engage in crime prevention by locking houses, sheds and vehicles, never leaving vehicles running or unlocked, keep records of serial numbers, and reporting suspicious activity.