BARRHEAD - The RCMP have arrested four individuals in connection with a string of ATM thefts in communities around Alberta over the past year that netted over $100,000 in stolen cash and resulted in over $500,000 in damage to property.
Two different RCMP releases detail how the four were pursued and then arrested throughout the latter half of November.
At approximately 11 p.m. on Nov. 16, the Eastern Alberta District General Investigation Section (EADGIS) — along with the assistance of the Westlock RCMP — initiated a pursuit of a male of no fixed address who was known to be on outstanding warrants.
EADGIS had been involved in trying to locate this male after a year-long investigation into ATM thefts around the province from September 2019 to Nov. 17, 2020.
The suspect is alleged to have committed a number of crimes causing significant property damage in the towns of Legal, Slave Lake, Swan Hills, Whitecourt, Edson, Athabasca, Hinton and Barrhead, as well as the hamlets of Niton Junction and Grand Cache. The targeted businesses include a credit union, gas stations and a lounge. This pursuit lasted nearly two hours and the suspect switched vehicles several times before evading police capture.
Then, at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, that same male was arrested in Rochester after fleeing a property in a stolen vehicle with another male from Barrhead.
This second male was also identified as a suspect in multiple ATM thefts in Swan Hills, Whitecourt, Edson and High Prairie from Oct. 15, 2019 to Nov. 21, 2019. The targeted businesses include gas stations and a lounge.
He was also alleged to have committed a number of crimes resulting in significant property damage within the towns of Fox Creek, Swan Hills, Whitecourt, Edson and High Prairie.
Eventually, the stolen vehicle was disabled and both males were taken into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded, sawed-off prohibited shot gun and numerous rounds of ammunition.
Another adult female from Athabasca was also arrested at the Rochester property on an outstanding warrant from Barrhead.
This arrest was a collaborative effort between EADGIS and members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Hinton GIS, the Western Alberta District Intel Co-ordinator and the RCMP detachments in Athabasca, Westlock and Redwater.
Then, at around 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 30, EADGIS, the ERT and RCMP Air Services attempted to apprehend yet another individual on numerous outstanding warrants at a rural property near Barrhead.
This fourth individual, who was a suspect in a number of crimes resulting in significant property damage within the towns of Legal and Slave Lake, evaded capture after fleeing in a motor vehicle.
This individual was also alleged to be involved in a break-and-enter at the No Frills Pharmacy in Vegreville on Nov. 20, 2019.
Then, on Dec. 1 at approximately 1:20 p.m., EADGIS, ERT and the Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit collaborated in the arrest of the fourth individual in Gunn, Alta., after he exited a vehicle and fled on foot.
Daniel Patrick O’Donnell, 33, is now facing 60 charges from RCMP detachments around Alberta. Some of the charges include participation in a criminal organization, 12 counts of breaking and entering/theft, 10 counts of disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, five counts of flight from police and 12 counts of possession of stolen property.
Lorne Kyle Jack Harris, 33, is facing 25 charges from numerous RCMP detachments around Alberta. Some of the charges include five counts of participation in a criminal organization, five counts of breaking and entering/theft, four counts of disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and one count of flight from police.
Charlie Louis Bronson, 35, is charged with participation in a criminal organization, break and enter/theft, disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of property obtained by crime.
Darwyn Ronald Beaudry, 38, is facing 23 charges from multiple RCMP detachments. Some of the charges include participation in a criminal organization, flight from police, resisting arrest, three counts of disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence and five counts of breaking and entering/theft.
All four have been remanded into custody after judicial hearings and are facing various court dates in multiple jurisdictions.
“These ATM investigations have now resulted in over 100 charges,” said Cpl. Robert Burgess of EADGIS, in a release. “We continue to follow up on calls received with additional information and more arrests are anticipated.”
Anyone with information regarding the ATM thefts described is urged to contact EADGIS at (780) 645-8870.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or go online at www.P3Tips.com. You may also use the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
