Six people face charges in connection with three separate investigations after a tip from the public helped Strathcona County RCMP recover more than $400,000 in stolen property, including skid steers, all-terrain vehicles and a school bus.
An investigation was launched in July after a member of the public alerted RCMP to suspicious property at a rural property in the county, said Const. Wally Henry.
“That’s what got the ball rolling,” he said.
RCMP executed six search warrants at rural properties in Lamont County, Strathcona County and Beaver County, along with a Fort Saskatchewan business.
Among the items recovered were a school bus valued at $30,000 stolen from Leduc; three skid steers stolen from Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, with a total value of $79,000; and a $17,000 backhoe taken from a Camrose business.
Some of the stolen items were taken from as far away as Selkirk, Man.
Thieves will often stakeout a construction yard or business property, stealing pieces of equipment that are left unsecured at night, Henry said.
“A lot of this property is left unattended for periods of time and the criminals know that,” he said. “And there are unscrupulous business owners who will buy stolen property from criminals for reduced prices.”
During the course of the investigations, police recovered two long barrelled rifles and a semi-automatic rifle with ammunition. Police also found six stolen Alberta licence plates.
Most of the recovered property was reported stolen during the last two years, but some of the items were stolen up to seven years ago, Henry said.
The following people face a total of 40 charges, including possession of stolen property over $5,000 and unsafe storage of a firearm: Richard Kennedy, 52, of Ardrossan; Robert Grouette, 59, of rural Lamont County; Kassandra Schimmens, 23, of Sherwood Park; David Spilchen, 25, of Tofield; Barry Clarke, 24, of Tofield; and Skip Davison, 28, of Tofield.
The Edmonton Journal