Mounties say at least one man is facing charges after a pair of stolen welding trucks led police near Elk Point last week. The RCMP says the trucks were stolen from a Bonnyville business on Tuesday. GPS units on the vehicles led police to a rural area where police say the discovered more stolen vehicles and property.
41-year-old Leslie Alan Hillebrand is facing charges including six counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. He has since been released by a Justice of the Peace on a recognizance with conditions. He’s due in St. Paul court on March 28th. An unnamed second suspect has yet to be charged.
Mounties say the second missing welding truck was eventually found in Edmonton. Police say they’re still investigating.
“This was a case where the RCMP’s partnership with a local business was crucial in the recovery of stolen property.” says Cst. Robert Eberly with Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Reduction Unit. “The way criminals operate within our communities is constantly evolving. These types of partnerships are crucial as we continue to develop and emerge our own crime reduction strategies.”
