Two arrested in cable theft

On January 2nd, at 4:50 am the Cold Lake RCMP received a 911 call regarding theft of cables. Staff Sergaent of the Cold Lake Detachment Jeremie Landry explains, “the caller was reporting that two males were loading up spools of cable and putting them into a truck”. The suspect vehicle was spotted, by RCMP, on Highway 28, near the GM dealership, in Cold Lake. RCMP were able to pull over the vehicle, which had an attached trailer towed behind it.  S/Sgt. Landry confirms, “they were arrested”.

The trailer was carrying a significant amount of copper wire, confirms S/Sgt. Landry. Also found in the vehicle was bear spray, break and enter tools, and drugs. The truck & trailer was also found to be stolen. “This is a case of someone noticing something suspicious, us attending and basically catching these guys in the act. It’s so important for people to call in suspicious activity,” says S/Sgt. Landry.

Charged was 34 year old Jonathan Simonar, of the M.D. of Bonnyville with four counts of property obtained by crime; three of which were over $5,000 and one was under $5,000. Simonar was also charged with possession of break-in instruments and possession of methamphetamine & cocaine, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and seven counts of failing to comply with a recognizance.

Also charged was 46 year old Albert Penny, from Edmonton, with four counts of possession of property obtained by crime, three of which were over $5,000 and one under $5,000, possession of break-in weapons, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of methamphetamine. Penny was also ticketed under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act for driving an uninsured motor vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without being the holder of an operating license, and two charges of displaying an unauthorized plates.

Simonar appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was released on $500 cash bail.  Penny also appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was released for his next court appearance. The date of the next appearance, for both the men, was not known at the time of this publication.