Two Stettler residents have been charged with trafficking in property obtained by crime among other offences in an investigation into the theft of canola.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 28, Bashaw RCMP disclosed today that they received a report that a significant amount of canola was stolen from a farm in Camrose County.
Bashaw RCMP and members of the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit deployed to the area.
“At approximately 1:30 p.m., Bashaw RCMP received a report of suspicious individuals attempting to sell canola. RCMP located a vehicle and grain truck suspected in the thefts,” police said in a statement released Oct. 4.
Officers say they arrested the driver of the vehicle in Mirror and after searching the vehicle, found a loaded 12-gauge shot gun.
At the same time, according to the release, Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit officers, supported by Bashaw and Stettler RCMP, attempted to do a traffic stop with the grain truck.
“The driver failed to stop for officers. Eventually, officers successfully deployed a tire deflation device on the grain truck and with the assistance of an RCMP helicopter and Police Dog Services, the driver was arrested,” the release stated.
As a result of the investigation, a stolen grain auger, a firearm, and a significant amount of canola was recovered, police said.
Jesse James Lyman MacDonald, 33, a resident of Stettler, has been charged with a total of 14 charges including:
• flight from peace officer;
• obstructing a peace officer;
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and
• trafficking in property obtained by crime.
Tristan James Ruby, 36, a resident of Stettler, has been charged with a total of 16 charges including
• nine counts of being unlawfully at large;
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and
• trafficking in property obtained by crime.
MacDonald and Ruby have been remanded into custody and will be appearing in Red Deer Provincial Court today, Oct. 4.
