An arrest has been made in connection with an armed robbery at Goldworks Jewellers on Main Street on May 6, according to Airdrie RCMP Media Liaison Constable Jason Curtis.
An arrest has been made in connection with an armed robbery at Goldworks Jewellers on Main Street on May 6, according to Airdrie RCMP Media Liaison Constable Jason Curtis.
Calgarian William Leonard Hazelwanter, 32, was arrested in Calgary on May 22 and charged with robbery and failing to comply with conditions. The arrest came after an extensive investigation by the RCMP General Investigation Section, according to Curtis.
“ The majority of the investigation was done by our General Investigation Section and our members, though I believe we may have received some information confirming dates and times of events from the public,” Curtis said.
“ I believe he was actually attending the courthouse (in Calgary) on an unrelated matter and was arrested by Calgary Police Services and Alberta Sheriffs,” he added.
Hazelwanter is well known to police, according to Curtis.
He allegedly stole some items from Goldworks Jewellers, but Curtis was uncertain what they were or their value. Staff at the store alerted police a robbery was in progress by activating a panic alarm, according to Curtis.
It is alleged by RCMP Hazelwanter also attempted to get into a second jewelry store on the east side of Airdrie, where customers are required to be buzzed in, approximately 15 minutes after the incident at Goldworks.
Hazelwanter was remanded into custody, according to Curtis. No trial dates have been set.
A break and enter at Detail Landscaping on East Lake Crescent on May 17 at approximately 8 p.m. has RCMP hunting for two or possibly four suspects, according to Curtis.
A black Dodge Charger entered the parking lot at the business, two men got out and cut the lock on the gate, then proceeded to steal a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, a Legend enclosed trailer and two snowmobiles that were on the trailer, Curtis said.
“ We believe there were two other individuals in the Charger but we didn't get them on video surveillance. We have no identification on those individuals,” Curtis said.
The Silverado was recovered in Calgary later in the day on May 17, but the snowmobiles – a yellow 2014 Skidoo MX2600 and a black 2013 Yamaha Nytro – remain unaccounted for, according to Curtis.
The suspects damaged a power pole while leaving the lot.
“ There was a metal wire that helped balance the pole and keep it up, they snagged the vehicle on it and they nearly took the pole down,” Curtis said.
RCMP describe the first suspect as Caucasian, 25 to 35 years old, wearing a white checkered button-down shirt, blue and white bandana, sunglasses and gloves.
The second suspect is described as 25 to 35 years old, heavy set with dark facial hair. He was wearing a black hat, black T-shirt with a green and white graphic on the front, blue jeans and sunglasses.
If you have any information on any crime, call the Airdrie RCMP detachment at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
