Multiple Barrhead residents are facing numerous charges after RCMP seized stolen property last week linked to several break and enters since the beginning of March.
On April 5, 2023, members from Westlock RCMP, assisted by Westlock Traffic Services and Barrhead RCMP, located two males allegedly committing a break and enter at a rural property in Westlock County. Mounties say those males were arrested and lodged in cells. An associated suspect vehicle, described as a purple PT Cruiser, however, had also been located, stopped and released as grounds did not exist to detain the driver or search the vehicle, police say.
Later that day, Mounties say the same vehicle was reported at a property in the County of Barrhead. Barrhead RCMP located the vehicle and determined that the two occupants had committed another break and enter and noted property in the vehicle that had not been present when the vehicle was stopped previously. Coincidentally, Barrhead RCMP received a tip regarding that same vehicle and the occupants unloading property at a home in Barrhead. Based on that sequence of events, as well as previous intelligence, Barrhead RCMP was able to obtain a search warrant under the Criminal Code for the house and garage in Barrhead, as well as the PT Cruiser.
According to police, the search resulted in the seizure of stolen property, and to date, that property has been linked to nine break and enters reported since the beginning of March.
RCMP say four Barrhead residents have been charged with numerous offences, including break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime. Mounties say all four were released from custody on conditions for Alberta Court of Justice in Barrhead on May 23, 2023. Police say one male has since breached his conditions and efforts are being made to locate and arrest him again.
Barrhead Detachment is asking that anyone who has been the victim of a break and enter since Jan. 1, 2023, in the Town or County of Barrhead, Westlock County and Woodlands County, to please contact the Barrhead RCMP with a description of stolen property. RCMP hope to return any stolen property to it’s rightful owner and charge the culprits accordingly. Barrhead RCMP can be contacted at 780-674-2696 Monday through Friday during business hours.
Mounties say these crimes were solved because of timely tips from the public and the RCMP would like to thank the public for their diligence and for calling immediately when they saw suspicious activity.
