Police investigate rural thefts and catch offender
Peace River, Alberta – Peace Regional RCMP are dealing with several property and persons related complaints of stolen vehicles, and break and enters this past week.
On Friday, June 1, Peace Regional RCMP members received information regarding a suspicious all terrain vehicle (ATV) and a motor vehicle that were driving around the rural area of Marie Reine at high rates of speed.
The RCMP members were patrolling the area when they located the ATV abandoned in a farm field.
Upon further investigation it led the members to an additional farm field where a motor vehicle was observed to be driving across the field at a high rate of speed.
A traffic stop was conducted where the motor vehicle was determined to be stolen.
Members approached the vehicle when the passenger quickly jumped out and immediately jumped into the drivers seat.
The motor vehicle then continued to drive at a high rate of speed away from members.
The vehicle was observed to enter a ditch in the field which caused the motor vehicle to roll over.
The investigation has lead to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of stolen items.
This investigation took up the majority of the day for those involved.
Tommy Lance Harrington, 19, of Berwyn has been charged with;
1 count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000,
1 count of Flight from a Police Officer
1 count of operating a motor vehicle while disqualified
Harrington had been released to appear in Peace River Court on June 25, 2018 and the male, aged 18, has been released to appear in Peace River Court on July 16, 2018.
The additional male cannot be identified until the charge against him has been sworn.
RCMP File 2018-755528
On Saturday, June 2, Peace Regional RCMP members received information of the possible location a of stolen side by side (UTV) and firearm out of Girouxville.
Additional reports were received of the driver of the UTV driving around the Northern Sunrise County area and pulling on vehicle door handles.
RCMP members were patrolling the Peace River area when they observed the stolen UTV being driven on the road at a high rate of speed in the Kaufman Hill area.
Members attempted to perform a traffic stop on the UTV where it departed the area immediately.
Members observed the UTV being operated in a dangerous manner entering the residential neighbourhood of Cool Springs Trailer Park.
Additional members attended that area, where a second attempt was made to stop the UTV.
The UTV continued to drive at a high rate of speed, driving into the door of the police vehicle.
The UTV departed the neighbourhood and fled into the Kaufman Hill area.
Members received additional information shortly after that the UTV was back in the residential neighbourhood.
Members attended and observed the UTV had rolled and the driver was observed by members fleeing the scene on foot.
Local residents located the driver hiding under a RV.
The community assisted the members on scene greatly in the apprehension of the driver.
The investigation has lead to the arrest of an individual and the seizure of several stolen items and a stolen UTV.
Some of the items were taken from Girouxville and others in the Peace regional area.
The stolen firearm has not been located at this time.
This investigation took up the majority of the day for those involved.
Tommy Lance Harrington, 19, of Berwyn has been charged with;
1 count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000,
1 count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
2 counts of Flight from a Police Officer
1 count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
1 count of operating a motor vehicle while disqualified
Harrington was remanded into custody in Peace River Provincial Court until Monday, June 4, 2018.
RCMP File 2018-8763905
Peace Regional RCMP continue to remind the public to secure their vehicles and properties by locking everything up and removing keys from vehicles.
By doing so, people engaged in criminal activity will not have quick access to a vehicle if they run out of gas in the vehicle they are currently driving.
The RCMP would also like to thank the members of the public who assisted with this investigation.
Anyone with further information or questions is asked to call the Peace Regional RCMP at (780)624-6677 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
