There's nothing quite like catching thieves in the act to make it a relatively simple case to solve. 

That's the situation Didsbury RCMP had when they were dispatched to a theft in progress at a lease site approximately five km west of Didsbury. 

Property representatives watched the theft unfold on a live video feed from the site, alerted police that the suspects were there who then attended the scene and arrested two suspects.

Mac Ronald Smith (38) of Clearwater County, Alberta was arrested and has been charged with:

  • Break, enter and theft
  • Theft of copper wire over $5000
  • Possession of break-in instruments
  • Possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine
  • Failing to comply with release conditions et al

April Dawn Sanford (36) of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta was arrested and has been charged with

  • Break, enter and theft
  • Theft of copper wire over $5000
  • Possession of break-in instruments
  • Possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine
  • Failing to comply with release conditions
  • Failing to comply with probation order (x2)

Sanford was released by police and, after a judicial hearing, Smith was also released.  Both are scheduled to appear in Didsbury Provincial Court on April 26, 2021.

Following the two suspects being charged, Staff Sergeant Chad Fournier of the Didsbury RCMP said, “Oil companies have been installing sophisticated security systems which was instrumental in the apprehension of these suspects."

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