No one was allowed in or out of Ronald Harvey Elementary School Wednesday morning for 30 minutes as RCMP combed the area for three armed men.
St. Albert RCMP were searching for three males who broke into a residence on Lester Crescent, a street starting across from the school. The “hold and secure,” as it is called, lasted from around 9:05 a.m. until 9:36 p.m. Parents of students at the school were informed of the incident via email, however the disturbance did not spill over onto school grounds.
An occupant of a residence on the crescent called police shortly before 9 a.m. When the man went to check on people banging on the back door, he was confronted with three males who broke into the home. They were dressed in dark clothing, with their faces covered, carrying firearms.
“Words were exchanged between the culprits and the male resident and then the three unknown males fled in an older, dark-coloured sedan with tinted windows and a dirty exterior,” a press release stated.
Officers searched the area for the suspects, assisted by the RCMP police dog unit and a forensic identification team. The suspects were not found.
Cst. Yelena Avoine with the St. Albert RCMP said the public should not be concerned. Police do not feel this was a random act, she said. Investigators are now looking for information on the suspects. She hopes people who may know about the break-in or heard things will call in.
“At this time, we don’t feel that the general public is in any risk,” she said.
The hold and secure is used as a precaution from a threat or criminal activity outside and/or unrelated to school. All exterior doors are locked and people inside cannot leave.
Two garage door openers left inside of cars opened the doors to thieves.
On March 12, St. Albert RCMP received two complaints about garage break-ins overnight on Dunfield Crescent and Duvall Court. Officers believe the suspect(s) broke into the vehicles parked on the driveways of the homes. They found the remote openers in the cars and used them to break in and take items from the garages.
Cst. Avoine with the St. Albert RCMP asks people to keep their cars locked.
“Make sure that any valuables are taken out of the car or well hidden. Make sure your garage door is locked. And if you have an interior garage door coming in the house make sure that door is locked,” she said.
St. Albert RCMP is looking for help to identify the individuals involved in these crimes. If you have any information about these or any crime, call the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
