The Strathmore RCMP arrested two suspects for stealing copper wire from a cell tower in Wheatland County.
On June 1, at approximately 5:21 a.m., the Strathmore RCMP received a report from Telus Communications that a break-in was in progress at a cell tower on Range Road 261 south of Highway 24.
An employee was monitoring the theft and provided RCMP with a description of the vehicle and suspects.
The responding members blocked the entrance of the site and conducted a high-risk takedown of the suspects when they were attempting to leave the site, an RCMP media release said.
A male and female occupant exited the vehicle with police direction and were arrested.
RCMP found a large amount of copper wire, cutting implements, and break-in tools, after searching the suspects’ vehicle.
Both were taken to the Strathmore detachment, and the vehicle was towed for further examination.
The female suspect was wanted on outstanding warrants from other police jurisdictions. She was later released to attend a future court date to face charges in this matter.
The male suspect was found to be wanted on nine outstanding warrants between four other police jurisdictions in addition to the charges laid in this matter.
A hearing was held where the 45-year-old Calgary man was charged and released on documents to appear at a future date. The charges laid included break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, theft over $5,000, possession of break-in tools, and operating an MV without an operator’s license.
“Vigilant monitoring and timely reporting undoubtedly led to the arrests made in this investigation. Copper wire theft remains a persistent problem in rural areas,” the release said.
“Strathmore RCMP would like to ask the public to remain observant of
commercial sites in their travels for suspicious activity as in this report.”
