Suspects with scrap metal charged with break and enter near Bonnyville

Two people have been arrested and charged with break and enter and theft after police seized items believed to be stolen on Tuesday.

On Monday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., members from the RCMP’s Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit (LCRU) were conducting proactive patrols in the Bonnyville area and located a suspicious vehicle parked near a rural property on Highway 660.

Upon further investigation, police said they discovered the two occupants of the vehicle had recently committed a break and enter and theft where they had stolen an assortment of scrap metal.

Scrap metal seized during the Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit’s investigation. Image credit: RCMP.

The driver of the vehicle was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from the Lake Louise RCMP Detachment, police said.

Ralph Calder, 44, of Lacombe and Shane Erickson, 41, of Edmonton, were charged jointly for the following offences:

•         Break and Enter to commit theft;
•         Theft under $5000;
•         Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000;
•         Possession of break-in instruments;
•         Mischief under $5000;
•         Possession of methamphetamine.

Both Calder and Erickson were brought before a Justice of the Peace where they were each released on their own no cash release orders with conditions.

Calder and Erickson are scheduled to attend Court in Bonnyville on March 23, 2021.