(Dreamstime)

By Sheldon Spackman

October 2023 Incident

Sylvan Lake man sentenced in break and enter and arson incident

Jul 15, 2025 | 2:48 PM

A Sylvan Lake man charged in a residential break-in and arson fire in Kneehill County nearly two years ago, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail.

Joseph Vincent, 31, was sentenced in Drumheller Court of Justice on July 14, 2025, after being convicted on two counts, including arson damage to property, and housebreaking with intent. He was previously found not guilty on July 26, 2024, on counts of possession of stolen property and trespass on premises.

Vincent, however, was given 759 days credit for time already served, leaving him with 884 days, or less than two-and-half years left to serve.

It was on Oct. 8, 2023, at approximately 4:15 p.m., when Three Hills RCMP responded to a break and enter in progress while the homeowner was home and hiding inside.

Members arrived at the residence and observed suspects fleeing the area in a vehicle. Three Hills RCMP located the vehicle and alleged one male suspect lit a fire to a farm field to try and evade police. The male was arrested shortly after and identified by police.

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Police confirmed the vehicle was stolen and officers located break and enter tools and stolen property inside the vehicle.

Joseph Vincent was originally charged with:

• Arson – Damage to Property
• Break and Enter Residence
• Possession of Break-in Instruments
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Provincial Trespass

Three Hills RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Jamie Day stated after the arest, “I am proud of the responding members from the Three Hills Detachment. A lot of work went into catching this offender and I am, thankful that no one was hurt during the incident. This demonstrates the importance, effectiveness, and dedication from our members.”

“Three Hills RCMP remains fully committed in building safer communities by working in partnership with our community as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal,” continued Day. “An instrumental tool that aided the investigation, was camera footage provided by the victims linking the individual to multiple incidents. I would like to thank Southern Alberta District Crime Analyst for his assistance providing intel that was critical to the investigation.”

Related: Trial scheduled for Sylvan Lake man accused in residential break-in and arson fire

Related: Three Hills RCMP apprehend property crime offender after lighting fire on rural property