Achi news desk-
Members of the Alberta RCMP held a news conference west of Edmonton on Tuesday to explain to reporters how an investigation launched after a rural property owner was shot led to the execution of search warrants that uncovered nearly half a million dollars in property after to steal
Staff Sgt. Brandon Humbke, Alberta Central District RCMP acting operations officer, said the investigation stems from an incident that occurred on April 10.
“There was an attempt to steal rural property in the Thorsby area and a resident of the area tried to interfere with that,” he explained. “During that, the suspect fired rounds at the owner of that property.
“As a result of the investigation, the crime reduction unit located a suspect and requested the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service to conduct surveillance.”
Humbke said the RCMP then obtained two search warrants for a property in the Breton area and a property in Parkland County.
“The two warrants were intended to be executed on the morning of April 12,” he said. “Shortly before the start of the Breton search warrant, a break and enter was reported near Rimbey, … (and) the suspects were observed returning to the Breton residence.”
At that point, the RCMP’s emergency response team executed a search warrant at the property in the Breton area, and Humbke said “one of the suspects rammed police vehicles in an attempt to escape.”
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Two drivers were arrested and Humbke said police officers seized a handgun, 682 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 70 grams of cocaine.
“The search of the Breton property resulted in a number of stolen items with an approximate value of $120,000,” he said, adding that a search warrant was also executed at a property in Parkland County which led to the discovery of approximately $320,000 worth of property after to steal
“These are high-ticket items,” Humbke said, noting that among the stolen items found by officers were trailers, a boat, snowmobiles and even a hot tub. “To see it all together in one location, it’s certainly surprising.”
“(It’s) not every day we see a brand new hot tub stolen.”
Three people have been charged in connection with the investigation.
Thirty-eight-year-old Justin Handbury, of Alder Flats, faces 64 charges, including possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance at human trafficking purposes.
Thirty-seven-year-old Marlace Monds, of Alder Flats, faces 21 charges relating to stolen property.
Jesse Jeffcott, 41, of Alder Flats, faces four charges, including breaking and entering and theft of property.
The RCMP said the investigation into shots being fired at a property owner on April 10 is ongoing and that no charges have been laid at this time in connection with that incident.
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