Thieves that hit Vermilion also stole thousands in Vegreville; collide with cop car

After multiple thefts in communities along Highway 16, and a collision with a police vehicle, three people were arrested by RCMP in Lloyd have stealing thousands in merchandise.

In the span of four hours, four break and enters are said to have occurred in Vegreville, Vermilion, and Lloydminster, from 4:30AM to 8:47AM on Thursday, May 1.

Vegreville RCMP responded to two break and enters where $5000 of merchandise was believed to have been stolen, before the suspects headed west.

Vermilion RCMP received a similar complaint with a report at 6:07AM of a break and enter at a vape shop, believed to be the same perpetrators. This time roughly $14,000 of merchandise was taken.

The situation culminated in the Border City with a west-end B&E at a business at 8:47AM.

Lloydminster RCMP, along with the Police Dog Service and the General Investigation Section (GIS), responded to the scene.

As officers arrived, RCMP say two suspects attempted to flee in a vehicle and collided with a police unit.

A third suspect fled on foot and was arrested following a brief foot pursuit. The remaining suspects were taken into custody near Rolling Green Fairways Golf Course after their vehicle became inoperable.

Their investigation revealed they were linked to the incidents in Vegreville and Vermilion.

Charges

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested:

Justin Carlson, 34, a resident of Edmonton, and Emily Carifelle-Potvin, 22, a resident of Ponoka, have been charged with:

• Break and enter with intent (x4);
• Possession of break-in instruments;
• Disguise with intent; and
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x3)

Jacob Roach (35), a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with above offences as well as:

• Dangerous operation of a conveyance;
• Flight from police;
• Resist arrest;
• Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited; and
• Mischief under $5000.

All three were brought before a justice of the peace. Carlson and Roach were remanded into custody while Carifelle-Potvin was released.

Carlson and Carifelle-Potvin are to appear at the Lloydminster Provincial Court on Tuesday, May 13, while Roach was scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville on Monday.  

The RCMP would like to thank the public for their assistance and cooperation during this investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to please contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400, or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.