GPS leads RCMP to stolen trucks in southern Alberta, 2 men face charges
Two men from Medicine Hat are facing charges following a crime spree in southern Alberta that involved break-ins at several businesses.
It began just before 9 p.m. on Oct. 5, when two people broke into a locked compound and gained access to a building by smashing an office window.
"Inside, the suspects stole numerous items including tools, credit and fuel cards and personal items belonging to employees. Prior to leaving the area, the suspects were confronted by an employee entering the compound," police said.
"The suspects then fled from the business in a blue pickup truck.”
Just after 7:30 a.m. the next morning, Redcliff and Bow Island RCMP responded to reports of a break-and-enter at a business on Pembina Drive in Redcliff, where suspects used a garage door opener taken from an unlocked vehicle to gain access to a business.
"Once inside, the suspects caused extensive damage to the interior of the building. The suspects stole several items from inside including tools, keys and a cash box with an undisclosed amount of money," police said,
"After exiting the business, the suspects stole a 2012 Dodge Ram, a 2019 Dodge Ram 5500, a N&N Triple Axel dump trailer, a Falcon flat deck trailer, a 2012 Bobcat S175 and a 2019 Bobcat T770."
Both trucks taken were equipped with GPS, which police used to track the vehicles. One was located abandoned about 8:30 a.m., along with the dump trailer, flat deck trailer and both Bobcats at a rural location near Dunmore, Alta.
A stolen motorcycle with a stolen licence plate was also recovered from one of the trailers.
About 30 minutes later, GPS showed the other Dodge Ram truck travelling westbound on Highway 1, west of Suffield.
Police caught up to the truck and the driver fled at high speed down a rural road.
"The suspect vehicle evaded police by driving through a farmer's yard and fence and then continued northbound on a rural highway," police said, adding the chase was called off due to concerns for public safety.
A suspect was then arrested about 2:30 p.m. trying to steal another vehicle from a farm in Stettler County, thanks to assistance from the Calgary Police Service HAWC2 helicopter, Medicine Hat ALERT Regional Property Crime Unit, Calgary and Red Deer Police Dog Services and the Bow Island, Brooks, Oyen, Hannah, Consort and Stettler RCMP Detachments.
A second suspect was located and arrested later the same day at a residence in Medicine Hat without incident.
The truck allegedly used in the first break-and-enter was recovered at the residence and found to have been stolen from Leader, Sask.
Craig Edward Perini, 31, of Medicine Hat, is facing 23 charges, including:
- Two counts of breaking and entering a business with Intent;
- Six counts of dangerous operation of a conveyance;
- Flight from a peace officer;
- Operation of conveyance while prohibited;
- Unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon;
- Possession of break-in instruments;
- Mischief over $5,000;
- Mischief under $5,000;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
- Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000;
- Three counts of failure to comply with release order;
- Assault on a peace officer with a weapon, and;
- Assault on a peace officer.
Joshua Francis McCarthy, 35, of Medicine Hat, is facing six charges, including:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
- Two counts of failure to comply with release order;
- Possession of a stolen card;
- Break-and-enter a business with intent, and;
- Mischief under $5,000.
Both remain in custody following a bail hearing and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.