INNISFAIL -- A Penhold man, along with an alleged Red Deer accomplice, are facing a multitude of Criminal Code charges in connection to a stolen generator as a result of the keen eyes of a member of a rural crime watch organization.
"Innisfail RCMP would like to thank the continued efforts of local crime watch groups and recognize them as a valued partner in rural crime reduction efforts," said Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler in a media release, adding the tip from the member of the Raven Crime Watch Society was directly responsible in getting an upper hand in the case. "This tip ultimately led to the recovery of the generator as well as the arrest of two males."
At about 10 a.m. on May 10 Innisfail RCMP were notified by their Blackfalds counterparts that a generator had been stolen from a rural location near Gasoline Alley, said Eiler.
She said the generator had been tracked to a rural location near Spruce View, where it appeared to stop. Innisfail RCMP entered into an investigation to locate the generator, said Eiler, adding the RCMP's probe was then helped by the Raven Crime Watch Society tip, which led to the generator's recovery and the arrest of two men.
Brandon Edmond Wegner, 29, of Penhold, was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break-in tools, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and six counts of breaching a recognizance.
Wegner was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded to appear in Red Deer provincial court on May 13.
Jaydyn Warrick Lovelace, 23, of Red Deer, was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break-in tools and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
Lovelace was released to appear in Red Deer provincial court on June 24.
Man charged in connection to school bus crash and robbery
A Red Deer man has been charged in connection to an armed robbery and school bus crash near Springbrook last January.
Blackfalds RCMP announced on May 10 that Jason Ionson, of Red Deer, who has been in custody since Feb. 26 on unrelated matters, is now facing new charges of robbery with a weapon, assault with a weapon, possession of stolen property over $5,000, dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, use of a weapon while committing an indictable offence, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The charges are in connection to a Jan. 22 incident when RCMP were dispatched to a serious collision between a pickup truck and school bus near Springbrook. RCMP said a male driving a truck collided head-on with a school bus as it was approaching the hamlet at Twp. Rd. 372 and Rge. Rd. 281.
When a passerby stopped to offer assistance the male suspect pointed a handgun and demanded her vehicle, said RCMP. Mounties said the suspect fled in the victim’s Mitsubishi Outlander, heading westbound on Twp. Rd. 372.
The school bus was connected to Chinook’s Edge School Division, servicing Penhold and area schools. The bus had seven children on board, all of whom were assessed and cleared by EMS on scene. Two children had minor injuries, which were treated. The bus driver was “just shook up,” treated and released.
If anyone has information about this incident, he or she is asked to contact the Blackfalds RCMP Detachment at 403-885-3300 or their local police. Citizens can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at www.P3Tips.com.
Mail thief suspect nabbed by Mounties
An Edmonton man has been charged with mail theft from an Innisfail apartment building.
At about 8 a.m. on May 8, Innisfail RCMP received a report from a citizen that mailboxes were being broken into by a man at a local apartment building.
Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler said in a media release that Mounties conducted patrols and located a man sitting in a truck nearby who matched the description of the suspect. Eiler said the man was arrested without incident and a large amount of mail was located inside the truck in addition to numerous other items.
She said Canada Post was contacted to assist with the investigation.
Matthew Thiemer, 31, of Edmonton, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of break-in tools, five counts of possessing identity documents, theft of mail, possession of stolen property under $5,000, mischief and breach of a recognizance.
Thiemer was brought before a justice of the peace and was remanded in custody. His first court appearance was on May 10.
