Clearwater County — A joint investigation between the Sundre and Rocky Mountain House RCMP detachments resulted in police recovering a massive stash of stolen property last week.
During the Sept. 28 execution of a search warrant on a property located south of Rocky Mountain House, officers including members of the RCMP's Auto Theft Section found a variety of unlawfully obtained possessions such as off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, RVs as well as a variety of firearms. The stolen goods are estimated to be worth a cumulative $500,000, said police.
“We're always pleased with successful outcomes such as these,” said Sgt. Jim Lank, the Sundre RCMP detachment's commander.
“Any time we can take guns out of the hands of wrongful owners, we make a community somewhat safer.”
The investigation started on Sept. 27 and stemmed from a complaint regarding items that had been stolen from a truck in Sundre. Information obtained during the investigation led the Sundre RCMP to a property south of Rocky Mountain House, said police.
During the course of the search, RCMP officers seized 16 brand new quads and snowmobiles, three new RV units, two trailers, one lowboy flat-deck trailer as well as five used trucks. Several firearms were also seized from the residence. Most of the quads and snowmobiles were still in the manufacturer's crate while some had been assembled on the property, said police.
The authorities are continuing with their investigation and are in the process of determining ownership of all of the recovered stolen property. Most of the quads and snowmobiles, along with the lowboy trailer, were stolen from Calgary. Two of the RVs were stolen from Sundre and one from Calgary, said police.
John Michael Kidd, 38, of Rocky Mountain House, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with 11 property-related offences in addition to two offences related to improper storage and licensing of firearms. Kidd was released on his own recognizance to appear in provincial court on Oct. 26 in Rocky Mountain House.
Kacy Savoie, 29, of Calgary, was also arrested at the scene and has been charged with 11 property-related offences as well as one offence for being in possession of a controlled substance. Savoie was remanded in custody and appeared in Rocky Mountain House provincial court on Sept. 30, when his case was adjourned by duty council to Oct. 5, said an Alberta provincial court clerk.
Additional charges against both accused are pending in relation to the stolen quads and snowmobiles. This investigation covers multiple jurisdictions and it remains ongoing, said police, adding further updates will be provided as they become available.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Sundre RCMP detachment at 403-638-3675. Alternatively, callers who wish to remain anonymous can dial Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.
