SUNDRE – The new year got off to a rough start for a couple of suspected would-be copper thieves when an officer on patrol “detected a break-and-enter and a theft in progress” on the first day of 2023.
A male from Red Deer was arrested with charges pending, while police are investigating to identify a second female suspect who was not apprehended, said Sgt. Trent Sperlie, the Sundre RCMP detachment’s commander, adding a Toyota Highlander not said to be stolen was also seized at the scene.
“There’s no rest for the copper thieves,” the sergeant said, confirming when asked that the accused is known to police.
“They definitely have a significant history with relation to property offences,” he said.
Sperlie spoke with the Albertan to provide a recap on how the holidays went.
Describing one of his officers Const. Tim Stevens as a “very proactive, bad-guy getter,” the sergeant said the constable was conducting a New Year’s Day patrol at oil and gas well sites in the area, which is among the department’s priorities.
“While going to one of these sites, he actually detected a break-and-enter and a theft in progress,” said Sperlie, adding the incident occurred at around 9 p.m. at the Pieridae north compressor station in Clearwater County.
“This isn’t the first time he’s done this; he’s done this several times.”
After securing the perimeter, the constable called for backup as well as additional resources including Police Dog Services before starting to search for the suspects, said Sperlie.
“They found one hiding under a tree nearby,” he said. “They (also) did do a building clearance just to make sure that there’s nobody else, and nobody else was found.”
But while canvassing neighbouring residents, police were informed a person had been witnessed wandering not far away and reportedly given a ride out of the area.
“We are working on identifying her,” he said. “There was some indication that there was (also) a third person, but they weren’t found.”
