FORT McMURRAY — Police Dog Services helped Wood Buffalo RCMP track down a suspect early Sunday as officers responded to three separate break and enters across Fort McMurray, with suspects arrested in all three incidents.
RCMP were called to a business on Athabasca Avenue in Abasand shortly before 1 a.m. after receiving a report of breaking glass.
Officers contained the area with help from Police Dog Services and began searching for the suspect.
Police say the suspect later returned to the scene driving a vehicle taken without the owner’s consent and was arrested without incident.
A 16-year-old Fort McMurray youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with break and enter, taking a motor vehicle without consent, impaired driving and driving with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams.
The youth was held for a judicial interim release hearing and has since been released from custody.
He is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on Aug. 4.
Several hours later, at about 5 a.m., police were called to Peter Pond Mall after security reported three males inside the building.
The suspects separated before officers arrived, with two seen on surveillance footage.
Police located two suspects walking away from the mall and say both attempted to flee when confronted by officers.
They were quickly apprehended and arrested.
RCMP say property from one of the businesses was found during searches following the arrests.
The two Fort McMurray youths are each charged with two counts of break and enter and obstructing a peace officer.
They were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 18 and Sept. 1.
Police continue to investigate and have not identified the third suspect.
RCMP responded to another break and enter shortly before 8 p.m. after two people were seen entering the rear of a business in the 9700 block of Main Street.
Officers found two suspects inside the building and arrested them without incident.
A 47-year-old Fort McMurray man and a 60-year-old Fort Chipewyan man remained in custody awaiting judicial interim release hearings.
Their names have not been released because charges had not yet been formally sworn.
“The successful apprehension of these suspects is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers, particularly the members of our Downtown Beat Team, whose proactive engagement and focused enforcement efforts played a key role in these investigations,” acting Wood Buffalo RCMP officer in charge Insp. Troy Switzer said.
Switzer said break and enters have a significant impact on victims and the broader community.
“These arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to addressing property crime and bringing those responsible before the courts, ensuring our residents and business owners feel safe in their community,” Switzer said.
RCMP say the investigations remain ongoing and are encouraging residents to report criminal or suspicious activity to police.
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