St. Albert RCMP has arrested two males from the Edmonton area and charged them with theft related to catalytic converters, a valuable car part that has been the subject of a rash of thefts in St. Albert and the greater Edmonton area in recent months.
RCMP said on Jan. 5, at around 4:45 a.m., the RCMP received information about two suspicious males roaming around the Ron Hodgson used car lot, checking vehicle doors. Police immediately attended the area and located two males who were underneath two vehicles side-by-side.
Two reciprocating saws (sawzalls) were located underneath the two vehicles the males were found under. One of the reciprocating saw blades was halfway through the exhaust pipe on one of the vehicles when located.
Also located in the corner of the used car lot were two bags containing catalytic converters. Beside the bags were flattened down foot prints in the snow and the police officer observed a reciprocating saw blade on the running board of a vehicle with its exhaust cut off.
The two males face charges of theft under $5,000. Both males are to appear in St. Albert provincial court on Feb. 10.
The RCMP says property crime and crime reduction remains a priority. Residents are reminded to follow the #9PM Routine, as many property crimes can be avoided with proper precautions.
If anyone has information regarding any crime, they are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP Detachment at 780-458-7700 or their local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
