INNISFAIL - Three Central Albertans are facing numerous criminal charges in connection to an oil lease bust where police discovered a stolen truck and trailer.
Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler said at about 6 p.m. on June 2 police responded to a report of an abandoned truck and trailer at a Red Deer County rural location on Twp. Rd. 362 near Rge. Rd. 271.
Eiler said a citizen observed individuals in a red Subaru and a silver GMC truck attempting to pull a stuck stolen truck and trailer. She said the silver GMC was successful in pulling out the truck and trailer and left the location with both vehicles - towing them to an oil lease site.
RCMP then attended the lease site and observed the truck and trailer parked there. They were both confirmed as stolen, said Eiler.
She said police at the scene then saw the silver GMC pulling into the lease site and quickly reversing to leave.
"This truck was confirmed as the same one that aided in pulling the stolen truck and trailer out of the ditch," said Eiler.
She said RCMP were able to stop the silver GMC and then arrest three individuals inside for possession of stolen property.
Eiler said RCMP at the scene searched the GMC and numerous items of interest were discovered, including a loaded firearm.
"This is a great example of alert citizens collecting good information to provide to police, and reporting the information right away, their efforts are appreciated," said Eiler. "Cooperation between the RCMP and the public is instrumental to the success of our crime reduction efforts."
She said three individuals were arrested at the scene. Natasha Deschambeault, 30, of Red Deer, has been charged with once count of possessing a controlled substance and two counts of breach of probation. She has been remanded to appear before a judge in Red Deer provincial court on June 7.
Mark Kennedy, 28, also of Red Deer, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possessing proceeds of crime under $5,000, careless transportation of a firearm, careless transportation of ammunition, store loaded firearm contrary to regulations, possess a weapon dangerous to public peace, possessing a firearm knowing it was unauthorized, possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle, and three counts of possession contrary to prohibition.
Kennedy has been remanded to appear before a judge in Red Deer provincial court on June 18.
Lester Martin, 32, of Lacombe, is facing one charge of possessing a controlled substance. He was released on a promise to appear in Red Deer provincial court July 25.
If any citizen has additional information into this crime he or she is asked to contact the Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342. If citizens wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com.
