An Oct. 26 traffic stop by an Alberta Sheriff led to Cochrane RCMP entering into a criminal investigation – and ultimately resulted in arrests with multiple charges.
When a vehicle was stopped for speeding on Highway 1, according to an RCMP press release, the driver was found to be in breach of release conditions.
"The driver was arrested and during the ensuing investigation, police located a plethora of stolen property and weapons," the release stated.
The stolen property included break-in tools, more than $6,000 worth of electronics and various goods (including sunglasses, watches, and jewellery), gift cards, credit cards, bank cards, a credit card reader, numerous cell phones, a mask and counterfeit U.S. currency.
The driver, 24-year-old John Cortez, and passenger, 32-year-old Tyler Schatschneider – both of Calgary, Alberta – have been charged with a number of offences, including possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of instruments suitable for breaking into any place, possession of counterfeit money, possession of instrument for forgery, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
According to the release, Cortez was also charged with six counts of breaching the conditions of his release documents. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Cochrane Provincial Court Oct. 29.
Schatschneider was released by way of a $3,000 no-deposit recognizance and will appear in Cochrane Provincial Court the same day.
The release added Cochrane RCMP is continuing the investigation and expects to lay additional charges.
