Vigilant residents helped police nab four suspects believed to be behind a rash of thefts in east central Alberta.
Stettler RCMP responded to the theft of a truck and small loader at a local business Monday. The owner of the vehicle was assaulted while confronting the suspect, who then fled.
Tuesday, Bashaw and Stettler RCMP responded to several reports of thefts and suspicious persons in the rural areas of Stettler, Camrose and Lacombe counties.
With the assistance of residents, RCMP were able to arrest two suspects and recover a stolen vehicle in the Bashaw area.
A 39-year-old man remains in custody, and a 64-year-old man will appear in Stettler provincial court on Sept. 12.
Wednesday, the owner of the stolen truck and small loader encountered the same suspect operating them north of Big Valley.
A male and female suspect fled the scene, and RCMP police dog services were deployed, but were unable to locate them.
Hours later, Three Hills RCMP received numerous complaints of erratic driving and intercepted a woman in a stolen vehicle.
Caryne Maree Perry, 29, of southern Alberta, was arrested and charged with several offences, including flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.
Perry was remanded into custody and will appear in Strathmore provincial court Tuesday.
The male suspect was located in Big Valley on Wednesday and arrested without incident.
Cameron Kenneth Hayter, 28, of southern Alberta, was charged with several offences, including assault, theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.
Hayter was remanded into custody to appear in Stettler provincial court on Thursday.
“These four individuals have been identified as repeat property offenders out of southern Alberta, who are alleged to be responsible for a number of crimes in a very short period, travelling to rural communities without ties to any of the communities affected,” said RCMP.
Three stolen trucks and the light loader were recovered.