Okotoks police arrested five people, recovered four stolen vehicles and laid numerous charges in three separate incidents over the weekend.
Okotoks RCMP Sgt. Sukh Randhawa said some of the arrests came after reports and tips from witnesses.
He said it shows the value of people reporting suspicious activity to the police to help them make arrests.
“We always encourage the public to call the RCMP if they see or if they’re made aware of any incident like this where the people who don’t belong to the community or the neighbourhood are wandering around,” said Randhawa. “Just be vigilant about that and call the RCMP.”
The arrests cap off a busy weekend for the police in Okotoks and area.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 6, Okotoks RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision on Pine Creek Road. Police were told there was a male who appeared to be sleeping in the driver’s seat. Once at the scene, RCMP officers determined the vehicle was stolen from Calgary.
Darwin Bruce, of Calgary, is facing two counts of possession of property under $5,000 obtained by crime and one count of possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime. He is in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 8, Okotoks RCMP members responded to a report of a vehicle theft in progress. Officers were lead to a spot where a suspect ran into a snowbank on Milligan Drive. Police located an adult male and female youth, who were arrested without incident. The youth is facing several charges, including possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime. She was released to her parents and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Austin Savary, of Calgary, has been charged with possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime and theft of a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in Calgary Court on Jan. 10.
Once again, in the early morning hours of Jan. 9, RCMP received a report of suspicious persons trying door handles in the Westmount area. Police located a vehicle the suspects were seen leaving the area in and found it abandoned soon after. Officers followed footsteps in the freshly fallen snow to track and locate two suspects an adult male and female. Both are in custody and charges are pending. Okotoks RCMP continue to investigate this matter.
Anyone who witnesses a crime in progress or who may have information about a crime is asked to contact the Okotoks RCMP detachment at 403-995-4202. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at tipsubmit.com. If information provided leads to an arrest, it may qualify for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
