On Sept. 21, Cochrane RCMP and the Cochrane Crime Reduction Unit were making patrols in the Springbank area when they observed a suspicious vehicle in a field near an abandoned residence. As police approached the vehicle it attempted to flee the area but immediately became stuck in the mud. Police arrested the female driver without further incident.
Inside the vehicle, police seized items including copper wire, drivers licences and passports that have been directly linked to break and enters in the Bearspaw and Springbank areas. The female Calgary resident has charges pending on seven counts of possession of stolen identification, one count of break and entering to commit theft, and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. The female remains in custody awaiting a hearing to determine her release.
This newest arrest comes on the heels of a significant breakthrough into the investigation of mail thefts in the Bearspaw and Springbank by the Cochrane Crime Reduction Team. These mail thefts targeted victims' identification and credit cards, which were then used at stores, casinos, rental car companies and expensive hotels in the Calgary Area.
As a result of this complex investigation, Cochrane RCMP has charges pending against a 40 year old B.C. man on four counts of possession of stolen mail, three counts of credit card fraud, two counts of identity fraud, one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and nine counts of fail to comply with conditions of a recognisance. The investigation continues into additional suspects and offences committed in the Cochrane area. Further information has been handed over to additional jurisdictions to assist with offences in their areas.
"Cochrane RCMP's use of a Crime Analyst allows our officers to immediately identify and target rising crime trends in our area," says Cpl. Troy Savinkoff of the Cochrane Crime Reduction Unit. " Using this information we are able to structure our pro-active patrols and investigations in the most effective manner possible."
Cpl. Savinkoff reminds all residents to make their vehicles and residences as unappealing to would-be thieves as possible by securing doors, keeping cars keys, wallets, cash, and passports, out of vehicles and to call in anything suspicious.
