The Rimbey RCMP had a busy week patrolling from Gull Lake to the North Saskatchewan River. Highlights of the week include more drug busts, shots fired complaint, break and enter to a residence and other incidents.
Police mounted on ATVs over long weekend
RCMP members were out in full force on the May long weekend enforcing traffic laws, off-highway vehicle rules and regulations in the backcountry and keeping the peace during the long weekend.
Several random Check Stops were conducted on Highways 22 and Highway 53. On the Friday and Saturday several officers were out in the Medicine Lake area conducting ATV patrols. The vast majority of backcountry recreational users were in compliance with insurance and registration on their machines.
In one case, a man and woman from the Eckville area were drinking and driving and took off from the police on their ATV when they were asked to stop. A young man and woman they were travelling with were left in their dust at the scene. Police checked their ATV and found the serial number revealed it was possibly stolen. The investigation into the matters is still ongoing. To date, there have been two charges laid and several more forthcoming in this case.
In total, there were 56 charges laid in the area over the weekend for various violations.
RCMP continue to crack down on the illegal drug trade in the community. On the long weekend, officers seized a shipment of marijuana hidden in a sealed plastic tub in the rear of the vehicle it was being transported in. The packaged marijuana bud was a significant seizure and was destined for distribution in the area. A 25-year old woman, a resident of Grand Prairie and a 25-year-old man from Drayton Valley were arrested and charged in this case. The male was subsequently released by a justice of the peace to appear in provincial court in Rimbey on July 15. The woman was remanded in custody until June 3.
More marijuana seized
During a Check Stop on Highway 22, police arrested a man and woman who were on their way to their camping site with drugs on board. Officers seized marijuana and magic mushrooms at the scene that were in their possession. A 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old female, both from Calgary, were charged with possession of illegal narcotics and will appear in Rimbey provincial court on July 15.
And still more marijuana seized
In Rimbey, Mounties using an unmarked police cruiser stopped a vehicle for traffic offences in the early morning hours and found the driver to be suspended. This was not the worst of his problems. The accused, a 50-year-old man from Edmonton, was using a stolen license plate and a significant amount of marijuana was found inside the vehicle as well. His passenger, a 29-year-old man from Onoway, was wanted by police on outstanding warrants for his arrest. Both went to jail and the vehicle was seized and towed. The driver in this case faces numerous charges and will appear on July 15 in Rimbey provincial court. The passenger was taken directly to the Edmonton Remand Centre where he remains in jail.
Suddenly, a shot rang out
Officers quickly responded to a report of multiple gunshots in the Rimbey Gas Plant area late Saturday night, May 21. The shots sounded like they were coming from a vehicle with a loud muffler. Police swarmed the area and were not able to locate the suspect vehicle that had already fled from the scene. It is not known at this time what they were shooting at.
Porn bug litters and lies
Lately, police have picked up countless pornographic magazines along roadways in the detachment area. This is disturbing because community groups have been out cleaning the ditches to raise money for their respective non-profit groups. In many cases, it is kids out there doing this civic duty. It makes our stomachs turn to think that an eight-year-old could be picking up illicit material.
In one case last week a concerned citizen called police when they observed a pornographic magazine being discarded out the window of an oil service company truck on Highway 53. Police attended and seized the magazine that had fallen apart and pictures were found strewn out over 50 yards along the roadside.
Officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and tracked down the driver. The driver was interviewed and denied doing such an act. When police interviewed the man he was found to be in possession of three more pornographic magazines in the cab of the truck but he adamantly stated he would “stand on a stack of Bibles and swear that he did not throw out that dirty magazine.”
Seriously...
Uninvited guest now sleeping in jail
Mounties responded to a break and enter complaint that occurred early Sunday morning, May 22. A culprit had smashed a window to a holiday trailer and tried to pry their way into it without success. The man then entered a residence in the trailer park located beside the holiday trailer and fell asleep on the couch. The homeowner was very startled to find the uninvited visitor passed out in the living room and called police. Officers quickly attended and arrested the intoxicated man at the scene.
The 19-year-old accused, a resident of Rimbey, is well known to police and was taken to jail where he remains until his court date on June 3 in Rimbey.
Electronic stolen in B&E
A break and enter occurred to a residence on Township Road 412 south of Rimbey between Highway 20 and the Lockhart Road sometime on the long weekend. Culprit(s) kicked in the front door and stole a 42-inch television and other electronics. No one was home at the time of the crime. Police continue to investigate.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the Rimbey RCMP at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, #8477 on Telus Mobility or 8477 on Rogers AT&T.
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work. Do your part and call now.