Bentley Post Office following a Nov. 24, 2020 break-in attempt. (Sylvan Lake RCMP)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Suspect On The Loose

Sylvan Lake RCMP lay charges in post office destruction

Jan 27, 2021 | 4:06 PM

Charges have been laid against two males following an attempt to break in to the Bentley post office last November.

RCMP say a large amount of damage was done to the external wall, which is believed to have been the result of a semi-truck driving into the post office on Nov. 24, 2020.

Mounties say the culprits accessed the storage bay, where there were no items of value, but access was not obtained to the main post office. The estimated cost of repairs is over $50,000.

Later, during the evening of Nov. 24, a stolen semi-truck was spotted in Drayton Valley, and two males were arrested. As a result of intelligence sharing, the Sylvan Lake RCMP connected the vehicle and the males to the Bentley incident.

Charged are Michael Wayne Lamontagne, 51, and Geoffrey John Smyth, 44, both of Red Deer.

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Lamontagne is charged with mischief, and four counts of fail to comply with a release order condition. Smyth is charged with mischief.

Police say Geoffrey Smyth is in custody on other matters and was scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on Jan. 27. Michael Wayne Lamontagne, however, is not located and there is a warrant out for his arrest.

Michael Lamontagne, 51, of Red Deer. (Sylvan Lake RCMP)

If you know the whereabouts of Michael Lamontagne, please contact Sylvan Lake RCMP at 403-887-3333.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.