Coronation RCMP detachment members have arrested one and are looking for two others suspected in copper wire theft in Flagstaff County.
The detachment was alerted to a complaint on June 7 when three suspects were observed on video by a property owner stealing copper wire.
Fleeing in a truck, the suspects were followed by the complainant to a field near the Diplomat Mine north of Halkirk.
The truck the suspects were driving was towing a 16 foot trailer that became detached causing the suspects to abandon the vehicle and fleeing into the field.
With the assistance of Red Deer Police Dog Service, Christopher Blackburn, 27, of Barrhead, Alta. was tracked and arrested without incident.
Blackburn has been charged with multiple offences, including:
-Possession of stolen property over $5,000 (x2)
-Possession of prohibited weapon
-Possession of prohibited weapon while on a prohibition order
-Possession of Methamphetamine
-Fail to comply with release order (x5)
Blackburn has been remanded into custody until his next appearance on June 10 at Coronation Provincial Court.
The two other suspects remain at large, however were spotted later the same day in Veteran and Coronation.
Members of the Coronation RCMP detachment encourage members of the public or businesses to report suspicious activity.
“With the assistance of the community, we were able to locate a suspect who fled from the stolen truck on foot that was observed on video stealing copper wire,” wrote Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, an RCMP media relations officer for the central zone.
Members of the public can report suspicious activity to the Coronation detachment at 403-578-3666. For those wishing to remain anonymous, reports can be made via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), via the Crime Stoppers p3tips app, or www.p3tips.com.