It took only a half hour for two people to wreak a bit of criminal havoc in and around Rimbey on Thursday morning.
Rimbey RCMP Const. Carman Dutz said police are now looking for two male suspects and are asking the public to report any suspicious activity they noticed between 4:20 and 4:50 a.m. in the general area of 50th Street and 50th Avenue.
A series of crimes began when first a local pickup truck was stolen in Rimbey. From there it is believed the suspects went to the drive-through banking machine located outside the Servus Credit Union at 5046 50th Ave. and attempted to break into it.
Considerable damage was caused to the machine however the culprits failed to gain access to any money.
“It appears they just pulled up and started cutting into it,” Dutz said. “They’re fairly secure,” he said, referring to bank machines.
The pair then went to the Esso gas station, located at 4705 50th Ave., where they broke in and stole items, including cigarettes.
RCMP believe they had a get-away vehicle because the stolen truck was driven to just east of Rimbey, at the intersection of Range Road 22 and Township Road 424, and set on fire. They then fled the scene. The Rimbey Fire Department attended the fire and spent a bit of time putting the truck fire out.
“They intentionally set it on fire,” Const. Dutz said, confirming arson.
The suspects did quite a bit of damage in a short amount of time, he added. Police were alerted by a member of the public, which was extremely helpful Dutz said. Whenever people see anything suspicious they should call it in, he said. “We need their eyes and ears out there.”
The thieves were targeting money and property, he said. “It appears they had planned it out.”
The Mounties are reviewing video surveillance footage.
“It’s usually pretty quiet during those hours,” Dutz said.
Police ask anyone who saw anything Thursday morning to call the Rimbey detachment at 403-843-2224, or if they wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com
barr@www.reddeeradvocate.com