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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.