Five people have been charged in connection to a series of break-ins on Windfall Road following a multi-unit response.
Whitecourt RCMP say on Thursday, April 11, they were advised of a series of break-ins at a rural oilfield plant on Windfall Road. At the time of the call, Mounties were advised that the suspects were still on site with a rented transport truck. A multi-unit response, including Whitecourt RCMP General Duty and Roving Traffic Unit (RTU), attended the scene. According to police, three offenders were located and arrested in the rented truck by Whitecourt RCMP RTU after they left the scene. Police say the truck contained stolen material from the plant.
Mounties say the two other offenders fled the scene in a pickup truck, driving into the bush until the vehicle was no longer drivable and then fleeing on foot. RCMP say they set up a containment and got assistance from Alberta RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and Alberta Sheriffs’ RAPID response. Police say the suspects were not located at this time but stolen material was located in the box of the pickup.
On April 12, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Whitecourt RCMP said they received reports that the two remaining suspects were spotted, which resulted in another multi-unit response. Officials say Alberta RCMP PDS were able to track and locate the suspects. Police say a male suspect received minor injuries as a result, which were later treated.
As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested, charged, and brought before a justice of the peace:
- Kyle Ferchuck-Schmutz, 36, a resident of Edmonton, was charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2);
- Possession of unstamped tobacco; and
- Failure to comply with release order (x3).
- Kimberly Anderson, 39, a resident of Edmonton, was charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2);
- Possession of unstamped tobacco; and
- Failure to comply with release order (x4).
- Roger Loyie, 55, a resident of Edmonton, was charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2);
- Possession of unstamped tobacco; and
- Possession of break-in instruments.
- Ashley Ormonde, 37, a resident of Parkland County, Alta., was charged with:
- Break and enter;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime; and
- Laundering proceeds of crime.
- Cory Taylor, 43, a resident of Parkland County, was charged with:
- Break and enter;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime;
- Laundering proceeds of crime;
- Failure to stop; and
- Obstruct police officer.
Police say Ferchuck-Schmutz was remanded into custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stony Plain, Alta., on April 17, 2024; while Anderson, Loyie, Ormonde and Taylor were released on conditions by a justice of the peace to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt on May 14, 2024.
‘‘We would like to thank the local industry for their assistance in this investigation and encourage them to call in all suspicious activity,’’ stated Whitecourt RCMP Acting Detachment Commander Sgt. Matthew Clarke. ‘‘I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight the great work done by the various RCMP members and units, including RTU and PDS, as well as the ongoing partnership with the Alberta Sheriffs. We are your Alberta RCMP and will keep working hard in the name of all Albertans.’’