RED DEER COUNTY – Innisfail RCMP teamed up with the RCMP Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Team (CAD CRU) to nab a rural break-in suspect who later allegedly threatened to "slit" a police officer’s throat.
RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said in a media release issued Thursday that on Dec. 11 Innisfail RCMP received a report of a break and enter to a rural property near Spruce View.
Savinkoff said various items were stolen during the break and enter, including firearms, a generator and chainsaws.
He said RCMP investigators then developed information regarding a suspect of interest in the break-in.
On Dec. 15, Innisfail RCMP, along with CAD CRU, arrested the suspect near his vehicle on outstanding warrants, said Savinkoff.
He said during the arrest RCMP officers observed the generator and chainsaws stolen in the break and enter within the suspect’s vehicle.
Savinkoff said the suspect’s vehicle was seized and search warrants obtained for his vehicle, as well as for the suspect’s residence in Springbrook.
Police officers then seized stolen property and break-in tools from the vehicle, and stolen firearms from the suspect’s residence, said Savinkoff.
He said while the suspect was in police custody he threatened to “slit” an officer’s throat.
“While being fingerprinted the suspect also damaged the police fingerprinting machine by throwing it to the ground,” said Savinkoff.
He said the investigation continues.
“Innisfail detachment is grateful for the assistance of the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit and their work in combating rural property crime," says Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Ihme, detachment commander.
Keith Daniel Thomas, 43, of Springbrook, is charged with:
• possession of a prohibited weapon;
• six counts of failing to comply with a release order;
• two counts of failing to comply with a probation order;
• uttering threats;
• two counts of possession of a firearm;
• two counts of improper storage of a firearm;
• three counts of possession of stolen property; and
• mischief to property under $5,000.
He said Thomas appeared before a justice of the peace and was remanded into custody. His next court appearance is set for Jan. 3 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
