Police say there are “a lot of connecting values” between individuals arrested in early July in Rochester and suspects arrested in Perryvale in late June on stolen property charges.
The strongest connection seems to be between two brothers: Robert William Lysohirka, 24, who was arrested at an abandoned house in Rochester July 4, and Andrew Dwayne Lysohirka, 21, who was arrested June 24 as part of a theft ring bust in the Perryvale area.
“Oh, there’s a connection alright,” said Athabasca RCMP Sgt. Brian Scott, referring to the two brothers. “They travelled in the same circles.”
Scott could not say to what extent they were acquainted with each other’s activity.
Andrew is charged with a number of stolen property and firearms offences. He is also accused of tampering with a vehicle identification number.
Robert is charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, possession of stolen property, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and possession of firearms while unlicensed.
“(Robert) has been of interest for a while now,” said Scott in a recent interview. “Every time we turn a corner, it seems there’s somebody else who pops up.”
Scott confirmed the accused was charged with possessing stolen property valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, including a quad valued at $10,000.
Athabasca Cpl. Rick Dozois said when police entered the rural Rochester property July 4, they found a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with a slug still in the barrel. They also recovered a .22-calibre rifle.
Some of the charges against Robert date back to May 16.
“He’s got a lot on his plate right now,” said Scott.
Robert appeared in Athabasca Provincial Court July 8. He will reappear on July 22 for election and plea.
Robert was arrested along with two other men, one of whom — Matthew Boreen, 28 — is also facing charges pertaining to stolen property. A female who police said is Robert’s girlfriend, Sarah-Leigh Christine Nicholle, was arrested at the same time.
Nicholle was arrested July 4 and charged with possession of marijuana less than 30 grams, possession of a prohibited weapon and careless storage of a firearm. She was released on bail the following day and appeared in Athabasca Provincial Court July 8. She will reappear on Aug. 12 for election and plea.
“We’re just pounding away at it, and we’re continuing to pound at it,” said Scott of the rash of theft-related arrests in the Athabasca area, particularly its southern reaches.
“My guys are working very hard and diligently at it, trying to get to the bottom of it, which will be a fair ways down the road, I’m thinking,” he said.
One of the accused in the Perryvale theft ring case, Gary William Fornahl-Bogden, 29, who was arrested along with two other individuals June 24 in the Perryvale area, appeared in Leduc Provincial Court July 11.
At the time of his arrest, Fornahl-Bogden was wanted on Canada-wide warrants out of Leduc for attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, according to a June 27 news release from Athabasca RCMP.
Those offences were all allegedly committed April 7. He will remain in custody and will reappear in Leduc July 25 for election and plea.
In connection with the Perryvale theft ring case, Fornahl-Bogden faces charges of possession of an illicit substance and possession of a prohibited weapon, as well as possession of stolen property both over and under $5,000.
He addressed those charges in Athabasca Provincial Court July 2, and his election and plea were adjourned until July 22.
