Olds RCMP was among the police services that aided in the recovery of vehicles reported stolen out of southern Alberta and British Columbia during a recent crime spree.
This month, Alberta RCMP and the Calgary Police Service investigated a series of break and enters within Calgary and six RCMP jurisdictions, where police say multiple offenders broke into dealerships and autobody shops stealing vehicle keys and vehicles.
A total of 18 vehicles were stolen during the crime spree and 15 have been recovered, police said in a press release issued Wednesday.
Police said a male was identified as the prime suspect.
On Feb. 4, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, Olds RCMP and Airdrie RCMP, with assistance from Calgary Police Service, conducted a search warrant on a rural property in northeast Calgary.
Police said three vehicles, as well as two semi-trailers, were recovered, all of which had been reported stolen out of Southern Alberta and British Columbia.
On Feb. 13, a stolen Ford F150 from rural High River was located at a residence in northwest Calgary, police said, and a search warrant was executed by members of the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, Airdrie RCMP, and Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit.
“Two stolen vehicles were recovered by police, in addition to numerous identity documents believed to have been stolen or fraudulently produced,” police said.
Calgary resident Sebastien Robichaud, 33, was located in northwest Calgary by the Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, and was arrested with the assistance of Calgary Police Service.
He has been charged with the following offences;
• robbery;
• five counts of break, enter and theft;
• two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000;
• theft of motor vehicle;
• criminal flight from police;
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• assault with a weapon;
• two counts of failing to comply with a probation order; and
• two counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Calgary Police Service have also laid the following charges against Robichaud:
• five counts of break and enter and theft;
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• two counts of possession of break-in instruments;
• 16 counts of failing to comply with probation;
• four counts of failing to comply with a release order; and
• several provincial driving offences.
Further charges are pending from other RCMP jurisdictions in Southern Alberta.
Robichaud was remanded into custody with his next scheduled court appearance for March 4 in Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.
Two other males were arrested as a result of the search warrant.
Calgary resident Shawn Markwart, 43, was arrested on outstanding warrants and has been remanded into custody with his next scheduled court appearance for Feb. 19.
Winnipeg resident Ryan Satre, 31, was arrested and charged with:
• possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000;
• fraudulent concealment;
• two counts of failing to comply with release order; and
• several provincial driving offences.
Satre was remanded into custody with his next scheduled court appearance for Feb. 19, in Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.
