Cochrane RCMP has charged two men with multiple charges after the pair broke into a TELUS construction site on Township Road 250 near Range Road 33 on Nov. 4 at 3:45 a.m. and attempted to steal copper wire.
Charged are Michael James Boukal, 48, and Joshua Daniel Ostrom, 39, both of Calgary.
According to Cochrane RCMP Sergeant Jeff Campball, officers were called to the scene by TELUS after an alarm was triggered.
“One of our members arrived and located a vehicle that was basically trying to hide,” Campbell said. “When our member approached, the two males in the car fled on foot. Our police canine unit attended and assisted in tracking these males who fled into a farmer’s field and were taken into custody when they were trying to climb up on top of a hay bale.”
Campbell said one of the suspects was bitten by the police dog, treated on scene and then taken into custody.
Boukal and Ostrom are charged with possession of break and enter instruments, mischief to property under $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.
According to Campbell, the pair was charged with mischief because they cut up the copper wire.
Boukal also faces four charges under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act: having an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, mis-use of a license plate and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
The men were held in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre and appeared in Cochrane Provincial Court on Nov. 5.
Search Warrant
Cochrane RCMP conducted a search warrant at a rural residence located at 245156 Range Road 43 north of the town on Nov. 7, according to Campbell, locating three stolen vehicles and making one arrest.
“Information was obtained through our General Investigation unit that that property was on that rural residence. Based on the information they received, they conducted additional investigation and obtained a search warrant. They were able to locate the three vehicles.,” Campbell said.
According to Campbell, one suspect was arrested and charged, however, a second suspect has also been identified and charges are pending.
“I believe that second suspect is already in custody on a previous charge from our area. It’s just a matter of having that confirmed. The information has been sent in to be sworn. The first suspect was released on recognizance and (faces) three charges of possession under $5,000.”
The man who was arrested is a 44-year-old resident of Cochrane. No names are being released until the charges go before the courts at a future date, yet to be determined.
The three vehicles – an older model dump truck, a cube van and a car hauler trailer – were stolen from Calgary in August, according to Campbell.
If you have any information about any crime, contact your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
