Rural break and enter of lease site on Highway 640; update on case from month ago

A 54-year-old man is facing charges after a break-in at an oilfield lease site south of Elk Point.

The incident happened on June 1. Vermilion RCMP responded to the lease site near Highway 640, south of the Northern Valley, along with Kitscoty RCMP and Elk Point RCMP, and Police Dog Services (PDS) from Lloydminster. 

Police located a suspect, who was also wanted on an outstanding warrant.

James Hollis, a 54-year-old resident without fixed address, was arrested and charged with Break and Enter and Possession of break-in tools.

Hollis was brought before a Justice of the Peace, where he was ultimately released from custody. He is set to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermilion on July 7, 2025. 

Roughly a month prior, there was a break-in at site in that area, where Christopher Swindlehurst, a 47-year-old resident of Woodlands County, was arrested.

Colin Swindlehurst, 50, is still wanted though from this incident, on charges of:

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

Vermilion RCMP say that Christopher has since dealt with these charges in court.