BOYLE - Three men from Lac La Biche are scheduled for their first appearance in Boyle Provincial Court Dec. 22, after they were arrested Dec. 4 for a string of break-and-enters at a trailer park located off Highway 663.
An RCMP media release received Dec. 14, stated Boyle RCMP responded to a complaint of 24 different break-and-enters into camper trailers and cottages in the area. While speaking to one of the complainants a "suspicious truck" that was unknown to the property owner pulled into the entrance of the trailer park, immediately reversed and fled at a high rate of speed and was pursued by officers.
"Officers followed the truck, but it failed to pull over after emergency lights were activated. The truck attempted to turn around on the roadway, but got stuck. Two males initially fled on foot while one hid in the vehicle and fled after police gave chase on foot. All of the males were eventually caught and arrested in the area with assistance by RCMP Police Dog Services," the release went on to say, adding one of the men was also found in possession of what is believed to be 14 grams of methamphetamine.
During the search of the truck, items that were stolen from the 24 break-ins were found, along with break-in tools. The truck itself was also found to be stolen out of Bonnyville.
Police say footprints from the series of break-ins were analyzed and matched two of the men who fled — Keith Patrick Cardinal, 34, and Arnold Travis Houle, 23, are each charged with 24 counts of break-and-enter, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break-in instruments, and obstructing a peace officer. Houle was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Both were released following judicial hearings.
The third man, George Marcel Mountain, 32, faces two charges of possession of stolen property, one over, and one under $5,000; possession of break-in instruments; obstructing a peace officer; and four charges of failure to comply with conditions.
He also a judicial hearing and was remanded into custody.
