Three Hills RCMP responded to a suspicious male looking for fuel southwest of Three Hills Sept. 23, 2023 at approximately 5:43 a.m.
The responding officer located the vehicle and arrested an individual in possession of a stolen truck.
The male was identified and was wanted on multiple warrants for failing to comply with court orders. The stolen vehicle was searched incidental to arrest and officers located break and enter tools and a weapon.
In conjunction with Airdrie Rural RCMP, a second stolen vehicle was located just outside of Linden. This vehicle was linked to numerous to other break and enter and thefts throughout Kneehill County and Three Hills.
Simon May (34), a resident of Linden, Alta., has been charged with possession or property obtained by crime over $5000 x 2; possession or property obtained by crime under $5000, break and enter, possession of break-in instruments, fail to comply with undertaking Condition x 3, breach of recognizance x 2, and trespass at night.
Three Hills RCMP also executed three outstanding warrants, which were for: DNA warrant, disobeying order of court, and failing to comply with undertaking.
Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, May was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Sept. 27, 2023.
Operation Street Sweep
Drumheller RCMP General Duty Officers and Drumheller General Investigation Section members, along with key partners including Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol Officers, and Drumheller Municipal Enforcement Peace Officers initiated a Crime Reduction initiative called “Operation Street Sweep” on Sept. 18, 2023 in Drumheller and surrounding areas.
The initiative included a concerted effort to locate wanted persons on warrants, conduct conditions compliance checks on prolific offenders and suppress crime and aggressive drivers.
As a result of the operation seven violation tickets were issued for exceeding the speed limit (all were in excess of 25km/hr. over the speed limit); four violation tickets were issued for various other traffic-related offences such as using cell phone while driving, fail to wear seat belt, fail to have insurance on vehicle four warnings were issued for various traffic offences; one impaired driver was arrested and subject to provincial sanctions including suspension of licence and vehicle seizure; and seven wanted persons were arrested on outstanding warrants.
This is the second Operation Street Sweep in the Drumheller area this year. The first operation was on June 12 and also involved peace officers from Kneehill County, RCMP Traffic Services, and RCMP Police Dog Services. The results of that operation were twelve violation tickets were issued for exceeding the speed limit (all were in excess of 25km/hr over the speed limit); five violation tickets were issued for various other traffic-related offences such as using cell phone while driving, fail to wear seat belt, fail to have insurance on vehicle;
One warning was issued for a traffic offence; one person was arrested on outstanding warrants.
Forty-one residences/prolific offenders where checked to ensure compliance with court conditions, and two persons where charged for breaching their court conditions.
Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Robert Harms, stated “Operation Street Sweep is a key component of our policing priorities and crime reduction initiatives in 2023 2024. M
Male arrested
Drumheller RCMP responded to a complaint of a break and enter June 14, 2023 of a business located in the 100 block of 3rd Avenue West in Drumheller.
The building was under renovation at the time and various amounts of copper pipes and cables had been cut and stolen from the premises.
An investigation was initiated and involved Drumheller General Duty members, Drumheller General Investigation Section, RCMP Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit, and an RCMP Southern Alberta Criminal Intelligence Analyst. The investigation, including through the use of DNA Analysis, identified a suspect.
On Sept. 21, 2023, members of Drumheller General Investigation Section arrested 34-year-old, Travis Kowalchuk of Drumheller. Further investigation found that Kowalchuk was bound by a Release Order and not complying with conditions. Kowalchuk was charged with break and enter with Intent – Section 348(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada; and
Fail to Comply with Undertaking Condition x 3 – Section 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Kowalchuk was taken before a Justice for a bail hearing and released on a $500 promise to pay release order. He is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Oct. 13, 2023 to answer to the charges.
Submitted
