A Vermilion man is facing charges before the court after police arrested him following their investigation into vandalism at the Vermilion court, damage to Sheriffs’ vehicles, and the McDonald’s restaurant.
Investigators say the initial estimate of the damages done to the courthouse and vehicles is over $1 million while the damage to McDonald’s is about $50,000.
Local police are thanking two eyewitnesses for their civic-mindedness.
“I wanted to start by sending a special thank you to the two youths who reported the incident and stayed on scene in order to give their witness statement,” said Cpl Brittany Pegg of the Vermilion RCMP. “This perfectly highlights how community vigilance, combined with the efficiency of your Vermilion RCMP, effective partnerships, and assistance from other RCMP detachments and specialized units, can allow us to keep Vermilion safe, together.”
On July 6, police responded to a report of damage to the Vermilion Provincial Building, as well as six Sheriff vehicles in the car park.
The investigation revealed that several windows were smashed at the Vermilion Courthouse, Public Health, and the Sheriff’s vehicles. Also damaged were the interior and exterior of the Children’s Rehab Service.
Vermilion and Kitscoty RCMP, along with the Alberta RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS), led efforts to locate and arrest the suspect.
Steven Bodurka, 23 years of Vermilion, was charged with:
- Six counts of mischief to vehicle over $5,000
- Two counts of mischief over $5,000
- Break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000
Bodurka was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He is to return to the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermilion on July 8.
