Five arrested, including three youths, after multiple break and enters in northern Alberta

Wood Buffalo RCMP said all three incidents were "separate" and occurred at various times throughout the day

Police arrested five suspects Sunday, including three Fort McMurray youths, involved in break-and-enters that occurred throughout the day in the region. In a Sunday news release, Wood Buffalo RCMP said the crimes were “separate” and suspects were located and arrested in each instance. The first incident happened at 12:56 a.m. involving a business located on Athabasca Avenue, situated in the Abasand neighbourhood.

Police said they responded to a report of a “glass break” at the location and, while on scene, arrested a 16-year-old Fort McMurray male youth, who returned driving a vehicle that was stolen from the business owner. The suspect, who was said to be driving under the influence, was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including break and enter and operation of a vehicle while impaired over 80mg. The youth who was held for a Judicial Interim Hearing has since been released and has a court date set for Aug. 4.

A second event occurred in the Peter Pond Mall at 5:04 a.m., when police received reports from mall security of three males inside the mall. Moments later, only two of the men could be seen on video footage as it appeared the three had since separated, police said. The RCMP said the two males attempted to flee from police when confronted, but were quickly apprehended and arrested.

A search was conducted by officers recovering stolen property. The suspects, who were identified by two Fort McMurray male youths, are now facing charges including break and enter and obstructing a peace officer. Police say the youths were released from custody and are set to appear in Fort McMurray court on Aug. 18, and Sept. 1.

Police continue to search for the unidentified third male suspect. The third incident, which occurred more than twelve hours later, at 7:50 p.m., was a break and enter through the back entrance of a business located on the 9700 block of Main Street, Downtown Fort McMurray. Police arrested a 47-year-old man and a 60-year-old man, both residents of the Fort Chipewyan region.

RCMP Insp. Troy Switzer, praised the downtown beat team for their proactivity in nabbing the suspects, saying that the arrests made “demonstrate [the RCMP’s] continued commitment to addressing property crime and bringing those responsible before the courts, ensuring our residents and business owners feel safe in their community.” Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add FortMcMurrayToday.com, EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

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