Vermilion RCMP lays charges in rural break and enter

One person was arrested and another is wanted after a rural break in north of Vermilion.

On Tuesday, April 29, at approximately 9:28PM., Vermilion and Kitscoty RCMP responded to a complaint of a break and enter to an oilfield related site in a rural area near Highway 640 and Range Road 61. 

Members arrived in the area and observed two suspects running away from the scene on foot. 

With help from K Division Real Time Operation Centre (RTOC), they added extra resources including Police Dog Services and drones to catch one suspect. 

As a result of the investigation, Christopher Swindlehurst, a 47-year-old resident of Whitecourt,, was arrested and charged with:

• Break and enter;
• Mischief under $5000;
• Resisting arrest;
• Possession of break-in tools; and
• Theft under $5000.

Swindlehurst was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was released from custody. He is set to appear in court at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lloydminster on May 27, 2025.

The second suspect has not been located, however, he has been identified and a warrant for his arrest will be forthcoming.

“While we do cover vast areas, this is a good example of multiple Detachments and units working together towards a common goal resulting in a successful arrest,” says Sergeant Corey Buckingham, Vermilion RCMP Detachment Commander. 

“We continue to leverage technology, such as drones, to assist in investigations such as this one.”