After a lengthy investigation, Cold Lake RCMP made an arrest in relation to the theft of a $160,000.00 backhoe, stolen from the City of Cold Lake. On February 3, 2016, Cold Lake RCMP attended a rural lease site in relation to an unrelated investigation, involving a stolen lease operator steamer, valued at approximately $245,000.00, for the truck, van body and equipment. Damage to the lease operator steamer is estimated as very extensive and had recently been stolen from Bonnyville, Alberta. Cold Lake RCMP arrested and charged 39 year-old Douglas Brian Charland of Cold Lake, who was caught with the stolen property. Douglas Charland faces two charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, mischief over $5000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, break and enter and theft over $5000, unauthorized use of a credit card and theft and misuse of a credit card. The break and enter and theft stems from a break and enter to JD Collision on October 15, 2015, where a truck was stolen from the secure compound. The unauthorized use and theft of a credit card relates to the use of a gas card belonging to Seven Lakes Oilfield. This was a significant arrest for Cold Lake Detachment, as Douglas Charland has been responsible for several high profile and significant property crime investigations over the past 5 months.
Also arrested and charged in the February 3, 2016, theft investigation was 45 year-old Calvin Jacknife of Kehewin Cree Nation. Calvin Jacknife faces a charge of theft over $5000 and mischief over $5000. Calvin Jacknife has since been released on a Recognizance to attend Cold Lake Provincial Court on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
Douglas Charland was released from custody on a cash bail Recognizance before a Justice of the Peace, to attend Cold Lake Provincial Court on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.