RCMP Truck, image by Jon Tupper
FORT MCMURRAY — Five people are facing charges after Wood Buffalo RCMP say officers recovered about $15,000 worth of stolen copper wire following a reported theft at the Syncrude Giants of Mining exhibit north of Fort McMurray.
Police were called to the exhibit on Highway 63 at about 4:34 a.m. on Oct. 1 for a report of a copper wire theft in progress.
RCMP say the suspects left the area in a black GMC truck and headed south on Highway 63.
Officers located the vehicle about half an hour later and attempted a traffic stop, but police say the driver did not stop.
A pursuit was not initiated because of public safety concerns.
The vehicle was located again shortly afterward by other RCMP officers on Highway 63 south of Fort McMurray.
Police say a second traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle stopped.
Five people inside were arrested without incident.
RCMP say a search of the occupants and vehicle turned up about $15,000 in stolen copper wire, suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, a conducted energy weapon commonly known as a Taser, and bear spray.
Police also examined the truck and determined it had been stolen and that its vehicle identification number had been altered.
Jimmy Hulley, 42, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a weapon contrary to an order.
Hulley was released from custody following a judicial interim release hearing and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on Oct. 14.
Michaela Felice, 25, of Rocky View County, is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, flight from a peace officer, fraudulent concealment, tampering with a vehicle identification number and operating a vehicle without valid registration or insurance.
Felice was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 19.
Travis Birch, 46, of Rocky View County, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.
Birch was released from custody following a judicial interim release hearing and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.
Jaclyn Bateman, 35, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a break-in instrument and failure to comply with a release order.
Bateman was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 19.
Thomas Lemon, 45, of Calgary, is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of failure to comply with a probation order.
Lemon remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 19.
These allegations have not been proven in court.
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