SUNDRE — A police investigation into stolen livestock led RCMP to obtain a warrant and conduct a search of a rural property north and east of Caroline that resulted in an adult male being charged.
On Thursday, April 15, the Southern Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction unit, assisted by the Alberta RCMP Livestock Section as well as the Rocky Mountain House RCMP, executed a search warrant on the property, located near Condor, following the investigation into livestock that was stolen from the Caroline area earlier this month. Police subsequently discovered the four stolen calves on the property, reads a portion of a press release issued today (Wednesday, April 21).
Michael Goodine, 44, from Clearwater County, has been charged with four counts of theft of cattle; one count of failure to comply with a release condition; and one count of possessing ammunition while prohibited.
Following a judicial hearing, the accused was remanded to custody and has been scheduled for an appearance in Rocky Mountain House provincial court on Wednesday, April 28.
“The four calves have been returned to their owner. However, the impacts from crime as a result of a theft of this nature are on-going,” says Sgt. Gary Maclaren, Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit.
“The victim will continue to experience not only the stress resulting from being a victim of crime, but also the added financial costs which include the cost of purchasing milk replacer and having to bottle feed the animals as a result of them being apart from their mother too long. Other impacts are long-term effects on the mothers of the calves as a result of their separation, which can reduce their value.”
During the course of the officers’ search of the property, another male drove onto the property accompanied by a female. Upon observing the licence plate did not match the vehicle, police determined the driver was also prohibited from operating a vehicle. Upon carrying out a search of the vehicle, police found a loaded .45 calibre rifle along with 12 catalytic converters as well as a quantity of suspected methamphetamine.
Mac Smith, 38, has been charged with:
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• possession of a firearm knowing possession unauthorized
• careless use of firearm
• unsafe storage of firearm
• possession of methamphetamine (crystal meth)
• fail to comply with release condition order
• drive while unauthorized (TSA)
Following a judicial hearing, he was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear today (April 21) in Rocky Mountain House provincial court.
The investigation relating to the seized items is ongoing.
The Crime Reduction Unit expressed gratitude to Clearwater County residents for their support and assistance during the investigation.
Anyone with information on cattle theft is urged to contact the Livestock Section of the RCMP at 403-701-1462, or their local police. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit information online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
