PENHOLD – Two young males are each facing 25 criminal charges, including those for stolen property, drug and weapons offences, following a gunshot report from a Penhold residence.
At about 10:30 p.m. on June 7, Innisfail RCMP were dispatched to a report of a gunshot being fired into the basement suite of a rental property in the town of Penhold.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Michael Heysa said the initial police investigation led Mounties to believe the gunshot came from the upstairs suite of the property. He said Innisfail RCMP arrested two adult male subjects who were tenants of the suite and the scene was secured for further investigation.
The following morning on June 8 a search warrant was secured for the residence and Innisfail RCMP, along with the assistance of the detachment’s General Investigation Section, searched the residence and seized five firearms, two of which were loaded, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, two high-capacity magazines, and an additional prohibited weapon, said Heysa.
He said a sizable amount of cash was also located, as well as a large amount of illicit drugs that included 885 grams of suspected fentanyl, 193 tabs of suspected LSD, 14 grams of suspected magic mushrooms, and six grams of suspected cocaine. In addition, two kilograms of an unknown white powder was seized and sent for analysis, said Heysa.
“This is a significant size drug seizure and the RCMP remains fully committed in building safe communities and enforcing laws to their fullest extent in order to achieve this goal,” said Heysa. “Members of the public who suspect drug activity in their community are encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment.”
As a result of the Penhold investigation Amir Spiridonov, a 21-year-old male, and Alex Thiessen, a 19-year-old male, both from Penhold, have been jointly charged with 25 criminal offences including:
• possession of stolen property over $5,000
• five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
• possession of stolen property under $5,000
• possession of a firearm/weapon obtained by commission of offence
• three counts of unauthorized possession of firearm
• four counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
• possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace
• three counts of possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition
• careless use of a firearm
• five counts of unsafe storage/handling of firearm
Following a judicial hearing, Spiridonov and Thiessen did not speak to bail and are scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on June 10.
Innisfail RCMP are requesting the public's assistance for any information in relation to this incident or any other illegal activity. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3341 or local police.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
