Mayerthorpe RCMP, with the assistance of the Parkland RCMP, the Parkland Crime Reduction and the RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) Unit, apprehended three out of four suspects believed to be responsible for the Jan. 3 break-in of the Servus Credit Union in Sangudo.
According to a media release, police responded to reports of a break-and-enter in progress shortly after midnight.
When police arrived, they observed the suspects were attaching chains from a pickup to the bank's automatic teller machine (ATM).
The release states that upon seeing the police, the suspects fled the scene in a second pickup truck. Police note that both vehicles were stolen.
The RCMP said they followed the pickup and disabled it using multiple tire deflation devices.
According to police, the suspects then fled the scene on foot, pursued by multiple RCMP officers and PDS and three of the four suspects were arrested without incident.
A fourth, yet-to-be identified suspect remains at large.
Due to the police investigation, Durant Kenneth Thomas Shale, 24, Keisha Latka, 29, from Edmonton and Jolayna Nancee Grace Bearhead, 23, from Stony Plain, face several charges, including break-and-enter, theft over $5,000; possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000, two firearms related offences, obstructing police officers; mischief over $5,000, assault on a police officer, and possession of break-and-enter instruments.
Police also charged Shale with 12 additional offences, including driving a motor vehicle while prohibited, dangerous driving, failure to stop for police, six counts of failing to comply with a release order and possession of methamphetamine.
After the three suspects went before a justice of the peace, Shale and Bearhead were taken into custody. They will appear in Mayerthorpe's Alberta Court of Justice in Mayerthorpe on Jan. 11.
Latka was released on conditions and will appear in Mayerthorpe's Alberta Court of Justice on Feb. 8.
The RCMP ask the public if they have any information regarding the incident, especially the suspect that is still at large to contact the Mayerthorpe RCMP Detachment at 780-788-2800. For those wishing to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the ‘P3 Tips’ app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
