Combined police efforts have led to charges being laid after bandits led a crime spree from Vegreville to Vermilion and then Lloydminster.
On May 1, at about 4:30 a.m., Vegreville RCMP responded to a report of a break-and-enter in progress at a local business.
A second break-and-enter was reported at another business in Vegreville, shortly after. Police believe the same suspects were involved. Preliminary investigation revealed that over $5,000 worth of merchandise had been stolen.
At 6:08 a.m., Vermilion RCMP received a similar complaint of a break-and-enter at a vape shop in Vermilion. Investigators determined that the same suspects from the Vegreville incidents were responsible. About $14,000 worth of merchandise was reported stolen.
Then, at 8:47 a.m., Lloydminster RCMP were called to a break-and-enter in progress at a business on the west end of the city. Lloydminster RCMP, along with the Police Dog Service and the General Investigation Section (GIS), responded to the scene.
As officers arrived, two suspects attempted to flee in a vehicle and collided with a police unit. A third suspect fled on foot and was arrested following a brief foot chase. The remaining suspects were taken into custody near Rolling Green Fairways Golf Course after their vehicle became inoperable.
Investigators linked the suspects to the incidents in Vegreville and Vermilion.
Justin Carlson, 34-years of Edmonton, and 22-year-old Emily Carifelle-Potvin of Ponoka, have been charged with:
- Four counts of Break-and-enter with intent
- Possession of break-in instruments
- Disguise with intent
- Three counts of Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Jacob Roach, 35-years of Edmonton has been charged with the above offences, and:
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance
- Flight from police
- Resisting arrest
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited
- Mischief under $5,000
All three were brought before a justice of the peace.
Carlson and Roach were remanded into custody while Carifelle-Potvin was released.
Carlson and Carifelle-Potvin are to return to the Lloydminster Provincial Court on May 13 while Roach will appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville on May 5.
The RCMP would like to thank the public for their assistance and cooperation during this investigation.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to please contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400, or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
