Thefts up, robbery rate static in Olds: RCMP

Thefts in Olds are likely up a bit as a result of the current economic downturn, but robberies are basically on par with previous years, RCMP say.

"I'm going to say that they're probably up a little bit," Olds RCMP Cpl. Mike Black told reporters during an Olds & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon Sept. 13.

"I don't think we're seeing the vast increase that other places are. We're fortunate in Olds that we have a fairly stable economic community – farmland and the businesses that are here. But yeah, there's going to be an increase, the way that the economic downturn is right now."

He and Olds RCMP Const. Rob Power drew a distinction between thefts and robberies. They said a robbery is when someone demands money or valuables and either threatens harm or inflicts harm to back up those demands.

A theft is when someone simply steals from you and no violence or threat of violence is involved.

Break and enters are incidents in which someone breaks into your property -- a house, shed, garage or vehicle. They may or may not steal something in the course of that incident.

Black and Power said to date, only three or four robberies have occurred in Olds during the last few years.

"There's no robbery problem in Olds per se," Black told reporters. "Are we immune to robberies? No. Just like every other community. Nobody's immune to robberies, but in terms of a problem aspect, no, Olds doesn't have a problem."

He and Power said it's extremely difficult to catch the criminals who perpetrate many robberies or thefts in this area because in an effort to avoid being caught, they come from out of town – sometimes as far away as Grande Prairie.

They love committing their acts in Olds and area because they can get away easily via highways 2, 2A or 27.

Generally speaking, "quick cash is all they're looking for," he said.

Black said the highly addictive and lethal street drug fentanyl is a big problem in larger centres like Calgary and Edmonton, and a lot of crime is linked to the need for addicts to obtain money to feed that habit, but so far, he said, that hasn't been a big problem in Olds.

"But you're not saying it's not here," a member of the audience said.

"Oh, I'm not. I'm not saying it's not here. Fentanyl's here. We had a seizure of 20 some grams about 18 months ago," Black said. "So it is here, but a local core group of problem people – it's one or two users."

Black and Power urged victims of crime or people who see suspicious activities to contact Olds RCMP. But they said don't call 911; that's only for emergencies. Call 403-556-3323, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

Power and Black also urged residents and business people to make sure they've got special numbers on all their equipment and possessions so those things can be identified, should a robbery or theft occur. That will also ultimately help police return valuables to the property owner.

"I have a set of golf clubs right now that's sitting in the office. I don't have a clue (who they belong to). It's going to go to auction and then the money's going to go to Victim Services, wherever it's going to go," Black said.

Black confirmed that criminals are still trying to pass off counterfeit bills in Olds.

He had some advice for business people if they suspect a counterfeit bill has been passed.

"If you're doubting the bill, turn them away. If they actually want it (the item they were going to purchase) they'll come back with some other payment," he said.

Black said about three weeks ago, police arrested three people and laid charges in connection with counterfeit bills. One incident involved several thousand dollars, Power said.

Olds & District Community Policing Advisory Society secretary-treasurer Judy Schlichenmayer warned the crowd to make sure their insurance clearly covers robberies, thefts and/or break and enters. Otherwise, you may not be covered if one of those incidents occurs.

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