Stolen emergency rescue equipment has been located and returned to Sturgeon County, and those responsible for the theft were arrested and charged.
After an extensive cross-agency effort involving Sturgeon County Protective Services, local RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service, the case originally reported in late December was successfully solved, along with multiple related cases affecting several communities in Alberta, amounting to nearly $1 million in damages.
The recovery shows how important it is for residents to report all crime or suspicious activity. Police say even small details can matter. A single report or tip can help connect pieces of a larger investigation.
“This is a great example of how individual incidents can be part of a larger crime and why reporting concerns is so important,” said Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw. “What may seem small could be the connecting piece of information needed to solve the crime. We appreciate the partnership and support from the Morinville RCMP detachment and the Edmonton Police Service in returning these vital tools to our community.”
After it was found, the equipment was tested by a qualified technician and confirmed to be in good working order. The successful recovery of this equipment is a welcome conclusion to the case and helps ensure Sturgeon County’s Emergency Services crew has the resources they need to effectively serve the community.
“Our crews depend on this equipment,” said Fire Chief Chad Moore. “We’re thankful to our law enforcement partners who were able to pull together the pieces on these different investigations and bring them to a successful ending. It’s also a great opportunity to remind everyone that community safety is a shared responsibility—residents are our eyes and ears in the community and play an important part in keeping everyone safe.”
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity, even if it seems minor. Sharing information helps police prevent crime and solve cases. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ab.ca.
For additional details: Police arrest three males following “Jaws of Life” break-and-enters
Items recovered:
- saw
- combi-tool
- spreader (commonly referred to as the ‘jaws of life’)
- hoses
- b-post simulator
- cutter
- power pump
Media Inquiries:
Corporatecomms@sturgeoncounty.ca
587-983-8257
