This week, Rimbey RCMP detachment investigated nearly 40 files. Highlights include a break and enter, domestic disputes, stolen cars, fraud and other serious matters.
Crime watch association holds AGM
Rimbey and District Rural Crime Watch (RCW) held its Annual General Meeting at Last West Hall on Tuesday night. The Rimbey and District Victim Services Unit (VSU) coordinator made a presentation at the well-attended event to enlighten members on what VSU does in our community for victims of crime. Rural Crime Watch is made up of volunteers who act as the eyes and ears for the police not only in the rural area but in town as well. Although your local detachment staff is working very hard to catch bad guys they cannot be everywhere. The police rely on members of RCW to assist them in solving and preventing crime. RCW is now updating and improving the current phone fan-out system to allow members to get up to date information through an email. Officers at the scene of a crime will soon be able to instantaneously send out an email alert to members. This new innovative approach will not completely replace the phone out system so those members in the community who do not have a smart phone, etc. will still get the phone call notifications as they traditionally received as members of the association. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact the detachment at (403) 843-2224 for more information.
Thief apprehended
On Thursday, February 12 at approximately 1:30 p.m., Mounties in Rimbey were alerted of suspicious vehicle in a parking lot near Highway 20 that may be involved in criminal activity. Officers quickly responded to the scene and when the dust settled a 24-year-old man, a resident of Breton, was in handcuffs and in the back of a police cruiser. The investigation revealed that the Bretonite had stolen a Ford truck from Ponoka on Monday. He then took it to a lease site near Thorsby and stripped the stereo and expensive rims and tires off the truck before leaving it abandoned up on blocks. During the rest of the week, he stole another truck in Rocky Mountain House to transport around the stolen tires/rims and other stolen property to prospective buyers in the area. The original owner of the Ponoka truck saw his tires and rims listed on the Internet for sale and contacted the thief to inquire about purchasing them. They arranged to meet in Rimbey. When the original victim met with the thief he told him that those were his tires and he was going to call the police. When the victim called 911 the bandit fled on foot from the area and finally ended up in police custody. Police searched the Rocky Mountain House truck sitting in the parking lot and located prohibited weapons on the front passenger seat as well as break in tools, methamphetamine and more stolen property. The accused is now a resident of the Queen's Crowbar Hotel awaiting his day in court while police continue the investigation. The message is clear, if you are committing crime - don't come to Rimbey!
Patrols to increase
Officers have been diligently patrolling the rural area and will be increasing patrols in Bluffton and in the Gull Lake north area communities. Highway patrols during school and commuting hours have also increased resulting in a large number of fines being handed out for speeding and other traffic related offences on Highway 771 near Parkland Beach and the Bluffton School.
Teamwork
Rimbey cops are teaming up with Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officers and will be conducting snow machine patrols in the Gull Lake and Medicine Lake area to ensure recreational enthusiasts are following the rules while fishing and not consuming alcohol and operating a snowmobile while impaired.
Volunteers needed
A group of local volunteers having been tirelessly working on projects to help prevent domestic violence, bullying, suicide and the high number of impaired driving offences in Rimbey. Please see www.rimbeycommunitywellness.com for more information. We are all blessed to call Rimbey home. Become involved in one the many volunteer organizations that I have spoken to and helped make Rimbey a safe place to live.
If you have any information regarding these or any other crimes, please call the local Rimbey RCMP Detachment at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers:
PHONE: 1-800-222-8477
#8477 on Telus Mobility
*8477 on Rogers AT&T
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work! Do your part and call now.