EDMONTON — Six people have been charged in relation to a string of break and enters and thefts in the Spruce Grove/Stony Plain area.
RCMP saw a “dramatic increase” in the number of break and enters and vehicle thefts in the area in December. Officers worked on approximately 47 related files in December alone.
Police said there were 25 break and enter complaints and eight cases of possession of stolen property. Fourteen vehicles were stolen, most of which have been recovered.
“That’s about double what our normal month would look like,” Cpl. Kimberly Mueller with the Stony Plain/Spruce Grove RCMP said. “Just this huge spike just before Christmas.”
After a lengthy investigation, six people were charged with several offences, including possession of property obtained by crime, theft over $5,000, flight from police, break and enter and mischief.
Police said all six people are from the Paul Band First Nation.
- Taron Rabbit, 29
- Kenny Rain, 26
- Tyrell House, 19
- Nelson Saulteaux, 32
- Ellie Mae House, 29
- Thomas Rain, 19
“Some of them were arrested together or involved in some of the same activities, but many were acting alone or in pairs,” Mueller said. “Not everyone was involved in every crime of the 47 files.”
Beach Corner Liquor in Stony Plain was hit by potential thieves on Monday, Dec. 28. The owner of the store said while they didn’t manage to get inside, whoever attempted to break in was determined, completely ripping the doors off the building.
“The doors were laying in the parking lot,” said Chris, who asked her last name not be published. “They managed to cause a lot of damage to my store.”
Chris has owned the business for 20 years. While RCMP can’t say if the break-in is linked to the suspects who have been arrested, the owner of the liquor store said crime has spiked in recent months.
“It’s been an absolutely horrible time for us in the last couple months,” Chris said Monday. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it. Usually the crime rate is very low. We’ve had no real problems.
“A lot of our customers will come late at night, just before we close, and wait with us to make sure we get into our vehicles and get to go home safely.”
Chris said robberies happen during broad daylight, as well. Often times thieves will run in, grab something off the shelves and run out.
“Mainly the big bottles of vodka, which happen to be close to the doors. They grab gift bags, they grab whatever’s handy. And they’re in and they’re out in no time flat.”
The crime has left Chris frustrated and angry; she doesn’t feel safe in her own store.
“It’s hard to smile lately. Very hard to smile.”
RCMP said more charges are pending against at least four other suspects who are also from the Paul Band First Nation.
Police are still investigating the string of crimes and are asking anyone with information to contact the Stony Plain RCMP.
- Canada’s most wanted list: Toronto suspect in fatal shooting at No. 1
- Gas station clerk stabbed several times during violent attack at Ultramar in Montreal
- Man acquitted in Tina Fontaine murder found dead, says her aunt
- Canadians should expect politicians to support right to bail, Virani’s office says
Comments