Southern Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and partners arrest three for mischief, theft and flight from police

June 25, 2026 - Municipal District of Taber, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

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Municipal District of Taber, Alta. - In May of 2026, RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) initiated an investigation into a recent series of damage to and theft from Oil and Gas and Agriculture infrastructure. These crimes occurred throughout southeastern Alberta including Lethbridge County, M.D. of Taber and Newell County, where copper wire was targeted by suspects. 

During the early morning hours of May 29, 2026, officers with SAD CRU, with the assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services and Brooks RCMP General Investigation Section, observed the suspects in the process of stealing irrigation equipment from a property near Vauxhall. The suspects fled the area in two vehicles with one vehicle getting stuck in a potato crop field and one suspect subsequently arrested in possession of a substantial amount of copper wire. The second vehicle fled at a high rate of speed through rural highways and secondary roads. The second vehicle was eventually disabled with a tire deflation device and immobilized by Police Dog Services, where two suspects were arrested, also in possession of stolen copper wire.

Through further investigation, police were able to confirm the suspects involvement in additional thefts and trafficking in stolen property in Southern Alberta. Repair costs for the victims of the May 29 offence will exceed $96,000.00 for the damage that has occurred to their irrigation property. Damage to the irrigation pivots potentially leads to reduced crop returns and possible crop failure. As per the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, the potential revenue for a typical quarter section field, the 130 acres under a pivot, ranges in value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the type of crop. 

A 27-year-old resident of Lethbridge, Alta., has been charged with the following:

• Mischief over $5000 x 2;
• Theft over $5000 x 2; and
• Trafficking in Property obtained by Crime.

A 34-year-old resident of Raymond, Alta., has been charged with the following:

• Mischief over $5000;
• Theft over $5000 x 2;
• Trafficking in Property obtained by Crime x 2;
• Flight from Peace Officer;
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle; and 
• Resisting Arrest. 

A 24-year-old resident of Raymond, Alta., has been charged with the following:

• Mischief over $5000; and
• Theft over $5000.

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, all were released to appear on June 23, 2026, and subsequently adjourned to July 14, 2026, at Alberta Court of Justice in Taber, Alta.

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