SUNDRE – Police are on the lookout for three male suspects who reportedly fled on foot the scene of a rural property on the east side of town Tuesday morning where a pickup truck with a trailer carrying an ATV were all but completely burned.
“We were called to investigate a truck and trailer on fire late this morning,” Cpl. Courtney Harding, the Sundre RCMP detachment’s acting commander, told the Albertan.
By the time Mounties arrived at the scene, which is located on the south side of Highway 27 on a treed-in rural property not very far from Rustler’s Lodge, they found crews from both Fortis as well as the Sundre Fire Department already there, said Harding.
“The truck, flat deck and ATV had been burned and extinguished when police had arrived,” she said. “It became apparent very quickly this was an arson.”
The ensuing investigation revealed the truck, trailer and ATV had all been stolen from a neighbouring residence down the road along Range Road 52 just east of Sundre, she said.
Harding said a victim had called 911 to report that they had witnessed their parked and still-running vehicle being driven off, and reportedly saw three male suspects light the vehicle on fire shortly afterwards at a neighbouring property before then proceeding to take off on foot.
The response and attempted effort to contain the area as well as the search for the suspects involved the coordination of the Sundre RCMP, Olds RCMP, Red Deer Police Dog Services, Rocky Mountain House Traffic Services, Alberta Sheriffs and Town of Sundre peace officers, the corporal said.
“At this time, all suspects are still outstanding,” she said, adding police “have no further description of them aside from three males all in dark clothing.”
As of the time Harding provided a statement at about 2:30 p.m., she said police had no further information immediately available but encouraged all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to the Sundre RCMP.
She also reminds everyone to ensure their vehicles are locked and to refrain from leaving keys in the ignition, as well as to lock their residence’s doors.
Sundre Fire Department Chief Ross Clews said the call came in at 10:57 a.m. and that he arrived shortly thereafter at 11:01 a.m.
“It looked suspicious when I was on scene and I immediately called dispatch to have RCMP show up as soon as I arrived,” Clews told the Albertan.
The fire department’s response involved the chief’s command truck as well as a pumper and a tender manned by nine members altogether, with two others being stood down, he said.
The crew quickly proceeded to get to the business of attacking the fire and successfully prevented the blaze from spreading any farther, he said.
“It was a very quick extinguishment,” said Clews, adding he left the scene shortly after noon and that the firefighters had returned to quarters by 12:46 p.m.
Photos of the unfolding fire clearly show at least two tipped-over gas cans on the ground near the truck.
Anyone with information that might help identify the suspects is asked to contact either the Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675 or their local police. Callers who prefer to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Alternatively, information can also be submitted online either at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS. Visit www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions.
