An RCMP investigation has found a break-and-enter spree hit 11 golf courses in the region, including three in the Foothills area — Priddis Greens, Sirocco and Cottonwood.
As per a Feb. 12 press release issued by the Southern Alberta RCMP, several detachments in the area have been investigating a spree of break-and-enters which occurred in January and February to golf courses and other businesses in several counties surrounding Calgary.
The Cochrane Crime Reduction United was then assigned the investigation at the end of January.
The investigation identified a male and female who were believed to be responsible for the crimes and a suspect vehicle, a VW Jetta.
On Feb. 9, Cochrane CRU, with the assistance of SAD CRU and CPS TAC, officers executed a search warrant at a northwest Calgary residence. During this search warrant, a female was arrested and the following stolen property, along with other items, was seized:
- Laptops
- Motorcycles
- Firearms
- IDs and ID counterfeiting equipment
- Tools and bikes
- Canadian currency
- Safes
- Golf accessories
As a result of these seizures, RCMP had the evidence to link the three suspects to the many break-and-enters they were investigating. The break and enters were at the following locations:
- Silver Willow Sporting Club in Mountain View County;
- Cottonwood Golf & Country Club in Foothills County;
- Sirocco Golf Course in Foothills County;
- Redwood Meadows Golf Course in Tsuut’ina;
- Priddis Greens Golf Course in Foothills County;
- River Spirit Golf Course in Calgary;
- Winter Green Golf Course in Rocky View County;
- Water Valley Saloon in Water Valley;
- Serenity Golf Club in Rocky View County;
- Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis; and
- Livingstone Golf Course in Rocky View County
On Feb. 9 at approximately 5:10 a.m., Didsbury RCMP were dispatched to break and enter in progress at the Silver Willow Farm Sporting Club, located in Mountain View County. The complainant, who is the property representative, was notified by an on-site security system that two suspects were at the business.
The complainant drove to the business and observed two suspects enter a Volkswagen hatchback car and attempt to flee the area.
However, the VW became stuck and the male suspect exited the vehicle with a long barrelled firearm, pointed it at the complainant and proceeded to run towards the complainant’s vehicle. The male suspect then shot at the complainant, who was still in his vehicle, striking the vehicle. The complainant was not injured.
Kyle Nechiporenko, 37, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with the following:
- Attempted Murder with a Firearm
- Discharge a Firearm with Intent
- B&E to Steal a Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Use of a Firearm while Committing an Offence
- Use of Imitation Firearm while Committing an Offence
- Failure to Comply with a Probation Order X 2
- Theft Under $5,000
- Mischief Damage to Property Under $5,000
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Disguise With Intent
- Possession of a Firearm while knowing it is Prohibited X 2
- Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Order X 2
- Driving while Unauthorized
- Break and Enter a Business X 11
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Soleil Wenas, 20, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with the following:
- Break and Enter to Steal a Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Use of a Firearm while Committing an Offence
- Use of Imitation Firearm while Committing an Offence
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Possession of a Firearm while Knowing it is Prohibited
- Fail To Comply with a Release Order (x5)
- Break and Enter a Business (x3)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
After judicial interim release hearings, both were remanded and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on Feb. 12.
The third female, who was arrested at the residence, was charged with break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. She was released on an undertaking to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on March 12.
