VILNA – The RCMP are looking for three suspects after a Monday afternoon truck theft led to a single arrest.
According to RCMP, the Smoky Lake detachment received a report of a break-in in progress on Twp Road 602 near the Village of Vilna, in Smoky Lake County. The caller observed three or more armed men come onto their rural property and watched as they allegedly began to steal items from outbuildings.
The victims observed the suspects who reportedly appeared to be armed with long guns.
Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said the suspects were also able to steal the victims’ pick-up truck, a red 1997 Mazda B2300 with an Alberta licence plate reading LWAS380. The men fled in the Mazda as well as another vehicle.
Members of the Smoky Lake detachment were able to locate both vehicles. An officer attempted to deploy tire deflation devices, at which point one of the two vehicles swerved towards him, narrowly missing him, then getting stuck in the ditch.
RCMP said two suspects fled from the vehicle, which was later discovered to have been stolen from the Cold Lake area March 30. Officers contained the area and brought in members of St. Paul, Lac La Biche, and Boyle RCMP detachments, as well as a police dog, the Emergency Response Team, and the Eastern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit.
One suspect was located. Saddle Lake resident Philip Hope, 21, has been charged with robbery with a firearm, assault on a peace officer with a weapon, mischief over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and flight from police.
He was remanded into custody for a future court date at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan.
Police continue to search for three additional suspects, as well as the red Mazda B2300, and are asking for help from the public.
If you have an information regarding this crime or those responsible, you are asked to contact the Smoky Lake RCMP at 780-656-3691.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.tipsubmit.com or by text.
