Multiple area residents have been arrested following an Alberta RCMP operation focusing on priority offenders, particularly those who are known or suspected to be involved in crimes against oil, electricity and critical infrastructure sites.
RCMP conducted the operation between Nov. 24 and Dec. 5, utilizing the Crime Reduction Units (CRU) of all four Alberta RCMP districts, the Community Response Team, RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Services, the Emergency Response Team, as well as multiple detachments.
Altogether, police arrested 14 alleged offenders, laid 40 new criminal charges, executed more than six arrest warrants and recovered six stolen vehicles.
The Alberta RCMP reportedly ranks about 85,000 unique offenders in the province based on the harm they cause in individual communities. The Strategic Analysis and Research Unit has developed a matrix to help determine the level of harm caused using the Uniform Crime Severity Index to rank these individuals.
On Nov. 27, two Edson residents were arrested as part of the operation.
In one incident, an offender wanted on a warrant for three counts of failing to comply with a probation order was followed and arrested for these outstanding warrants, and for allegedly breaching several probation conditions. The 46-year-old was was charged with two counts of failing to comply with court orders and was brought before a justice of the peace, then remanded into custody.
That same day in Edson, a known copper thief, police allege, who was wanted on several warrants was located. As a result of the investigation, the 36-year-old was arrested on three warrants related to possession of stolen property over $5,000, assault and failing to comply with release orders. He was brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions. Police say he is ranked #949.
On Dec. 2, the Western Alberta District (WAD) CRU was patrolling rural Mayerthorpe when they say they observed a priority offender driving a stolen vehicle. They followed the vehicle until it stopped for gas, then approached the driver. Police say he attempted to flee in another vehicle, but was apprehended. As a result, a 60-year-old residing on the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation was charged with:
- Flight from police
- Possession of stolen property
- Driving while unauthorized
- Failing to comply with release conditions
He was brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions.
Another Edson resident was arrested on Dec. 5, after the WAD CRU observed a known offender in an allegedly stolen vehicle in Yellowhead County. Officers say they attempted a traffic stop but the male fled. He and the driver were later located in a residence the driver allegedly entered illegally.
As a result, a 43-year-old Edson resident has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
- Possession of stolen property under $5,000
- Flight from police
- Fraudulent concealment
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Drive while unauthorized
- Being unlawfully in a dwelling house
He was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody.
“These operations are very important to the safety of Albertans as they allow for the use of varied specialized units to target prolific and priority offenders, and thus being proactive in our policing approach,” commented S/Sgt. Luke Halvorson, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Community Safety. “We observed that though offenders nomadic and travel across Alberta to find local partners to continue to proliferate their crimes [sic]. Thanks to the resources available to the Alberta RCMP, we are able to efficiently coordinate investigations such as these and make sure that no matter where a criminal commits their crimes, we will be there to catch them.”
Video footage of some of the arrests is available here.
