Sundre RCMP is asking for anyone with any information regarding a high hoe bucket that was stolen from a Hitachi hoe near Rig Street, southwest of Caroline, to step forward.
The bucket was stolen on Nov. 24 and is 42 inches wide with WBM (Welco Beals Manufacturing) printed on the side of it.
ìIt was stolen during the night,î said Sundre RCMP Constable Val Dennis. ìWhen he (the owner) came the next morning he seen his high hoe had been moved and his bucket was gone.î
Dennis said the bucket was sitting beside the equipment and the thief or thieves also used the high hoe. He said it's considered a theft over $5,000 because the bucket costs $8,000 to $10,000 to replace.
ìWe've been having some mischief in the Rig Street area where this happened,î said Dennis.
He said there aren't many options that operators have to prevent this from happening, especially when it's in a remote area.
However, he advises people to be aware of strange vehicles, have a watchman throughout the night or park the equipment in a high traffic area where people are able to watch it, such as a well site. He also suggests using surveillance cameras.
ìAnybody that knows buckets knows what kind of bucket that is,î said Dennis.
He encourages anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any pointers to contact Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
