SUNDRE - A 50-year-old Red Deer man is facing numerous charges after police seized stolen tools and copper wire following a break-in at an oilfield site outside Sundre late last month, police said today.
At about 2 a.m. on April 28, Sundre RCMP were on routine patrol of rural lease sites when an officer observed an alleged break and enter in progress, said RCMP Const. Chantelle Kelly.
When the officer activated the police vehicle’s emergency equipment in an attempt to stop two suspect vehicles, the suspects fled, she said.
“Both vehicles failed to stop and drove through the fence of the compound and headed into a wooded area,” said Kelly. “The vehicles then drove through a livestock fence onto a range road. Police followed the tracks on foot to an off-highway vehicle trail where the vehicles were abandoned.”
Subsequent investigation revealed the vehicles were stolen and several thousand dollars worth of tools and copper wire stolen from the surrounding area were located inside the vehicles, she said.
Red Deer Police Dog Service was called in and tracked the suspects for several kilometres, at which time one of the suspects was located and arrested without incident.
Officers from the Olds and Didsbury RCMP detachments also assisted.
Dean Johnstone, 50, faces two charges of break and enter, two charges of possession of property obtained over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and possession of break-in instruments.
He has been released on recognizance and ordered to appear in Didsbury provincial court on June 7.
Police are continuing to search for the second suspect, she said.
