Burglars struck the new Subway restaurant and Penhold IDA Pharmacy – hours before the drugstore was scheduled to open its doors for the first time.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hildebrandt said the two businesses, located in the new commercial plaza along Highway 2A in front of Hawkridge Estates, were broken into at about 3 a.m. on March 18.
Hildebrandt said the alarm was set off at the time but was not fully engaged.
“There was a hit registered but it wasn't sent to the right place. The alarm did not properly engage,” said Hildebrandt, adding police were not properly notified of the break-in until three hours after the alarm was set off.
He said the culprits gained entry by smashing the glass windows of the front doors of both businesses.
Hildebrandt said the burglars stole an undisclosed amount of cash from Subway's cash register.
He said the culprits stole a “significant amount” of prescription drugs, “exclusively narcotics”, from the pharmacy.
“The thing here is the timing. The strip mall is brand new. The Subway was already open. It had been open for a few days. The pharmacy was scheduled to be open that next day (March 19),” said Hildebrandt, adding numerous notices had been distributed to the public from the pharmacy to announce its plans on opening on March 19. “Everybody knew they were going to open up that day. The timing was perfect because they just finished stocking all the shelves. Everything was up to snuff and then the break and enter happened.”
Hildebrandt said there was no video of the crime or suspects but police have gathered physical evidence that has confirmed that three suspects were involved. RCMP are continuing their investigation of the break and enter.
If anyone has any information on the break-in at the two businesses he or she is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Drug bust in county
A Red Deer County couple is facing drug charges following an RCMP bust at their rural home.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hildebrandt said Mounties executed a search warrant on March 13 at the residence, located south of Innisfail in the area of Rge. Rd. 29 and Twp. Rd. 350.
He said two adults and one child were in the residence at the time of the bust.
Hildebrandt said police seized cash, a weapon and 804 grams of marijuana packaged in individual bags and located throughout the residence.
“Some of the drugs that were recovered was being secured in the bedroom of the child,” said Hildebrandt.
Branden Gerrard, 27, of Red Deer County, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Shanda Leslie, 24, also of Red Deer County, is charged with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking. The pair, who were released from custody the same day as they were charged, are scheduled for a Red Deer provincial court appearance on May 22.
