Bonnyville man arrested for theft of a bait vehicle

On Dec. 30, 2020, Two Hills RCMP utilized a “Bait Vehicle” on Highway 45 near Andrew, Alta. On Jan. 1, 2021 the vehicle was stolen from that location and abandoned a short time later. A suspect was later identified and arrested with the assistance of Cold Lake RCMP and the Cold Lake Crime Reduction Unit.

Wyatt Whitford (24) of Bonnyville, Alta. has been charged with:

• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Mischief to property
• Failing to comply with a release order (x2)
• Driving without insurance
• Driving without registration

Whitford was located in another stolen vehicle and is facing additional charges from that incident.

Whitford was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Vegreville Provincial Court on March 1, 2021.

This is the second time this year Whitford has been arrested. He is the suspect in a break and enter that involved a police chase near Ardmore on January 25th.

Two Hills RCMP are warning would-be criminals that if you steal a vehicle, or enter it to steal items, it may be a “Bait Vehicle” and you will be caught. Targeting people who steal vehicles or who attempt to steal from vehicles, is just one component of the ongoing crime reduction strategies in the Two Hills area, and across the province of Alberta.