During the month of May, the Westlock Detachment responded to a total of 522 calls for service, which included seven assaults, 15 break and enters, three instances of uttering threats, 21 motor vehicle collisions, 14 thefts, 21 mischiefs and 22 mental health-related incidents.
Caught redhanded
On May 20, 2024, at 1:45 a.m., Westlock RCMP received a report from a resident advising that they had caught a female suspect attempting to steal their truck. Officers immediately responded to find the female suspect being held by the vehicle owner and took the female into custody without any further incident.
Westlock resident Nettie Bolton (46) is charged with attempting to steal a motor vehicle. Bolton was released on an appearance notice to return to the Alberta Court of Justice in Westlock on August 7, 2024.
R.F. Staples break-in
On May 20, 2024, at 1:45 a.m., Westlock RCMP received a report of a break and enter to R.F. Staples School. The investigation revealed that the suspect had gained entry through an external door. Officers cleared the school to ensure that no one was present and then investigated, but could not determine if anything was taken.
A few days later, the property representative advised that a laptop computer was taken and provided surveillance video of the suspect. Officers were able to identify the suspect from the video surveillance and promptly arrestrf the suspect, who was found to be bound by conditions of a releaseorder from a break and enter that he had committed on March 3, 2024 in Westlock, Alberta.
Mark Wildman (45), a resident of Westlock, is charged with breaking and entering with intent, mischief under $5000, possession of break-in Instruments, and failure to comply with a release order.
Wildman was brought before a justice of the peace where he chose not to speak to bail and was remanded to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on May 30. He was then released with no cash deposit on conditions to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Westlock on June 12, 2024.
Pellet gun incident
On May 30, 2024, at 10:14 a.m., Westlock RCMP received a call regarding students in a truck driving by a High School and shooting a pellet gun towards two other students. One student was struck on the shoulder resulting in no significant injury.
Thanks to assistance from the school, the offending students were identified, located and arrested. Incidental to arrest, a BB gun was seized.
The two youth since been released. Charges are currently pending crown approval. The Westlock RCMP would like to reassure the public that there is no concern for public safety at this time.
Round-up initiative
On May 7 and 8, Westlock RCMP lead an initiative targeting offenders in the surrounding area with outstanding warrants. The initiative utilized resources from Westlock RCMP as well as Alberta RCMP’s Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EAD CRU), analysts and administrative support personnel.
The most serious warrant, belonging to Westlock resident Thomas Durward Thompson (52), included Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference and Assault. He was brought before a justice of the peace, with an additional charge of failure to appear, and released on conditions.
The person who was arrested on the most warrants was Fawcett, Alta., resident Trina Dawn Chobotar. Chobotar, 30, had warrants out of Westlock, Drumheller, Oyen and Coronation with charges ranging from possession of stolen property over $5,000 and theft of motor vehicle to possession of stolen credit card.
In total, officers arrested seven individuals executing 23 outstanding warrants. In the process of locating individuals, officers charged an additional female for failing to comply and issued Traffic Safety Act tickets for several offences, including driving while suspended. One of these tickets resulted in the seizure of a vehicle. This initiative also resulted in two days of extra patrols.
"A ‘warrant round-up’ allows us to proactively search for known or prolific offenders in our area in a more efficient manner," said Cpl. Riley Sutherland of the Westlock RCMP. “We will keep working towards finding those out on warrants and helping to enforce the laws that keep us safe.”
If you have information with regards to the whereabouts of a person you believe has outstanding warrants for their arrest, please call the Westlock RCMP at 780-349-4491 or your local police.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS), online at www. P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
Protecting OHVs
With summer approaching, the use of recreational vehicles will begin to increase. The Alberta RCMP would like to remind everyone about protecting their off-highway vehicles (OHV), such as side-by-sides, quads, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles.
The Westlock RCMP emphasizes the importance of keeping your property safe. You can do so by following these steps:
* When you’re finished using your recreational vehicle, park it in a locked garage or shed and remove the keys.
* Follow a nightly checklist to ensure all your property is locked up and secured for the night.
* Turn on your outside and motion-detection lights at night.
* Make sure you have installed a timer for lights and security systems.
Follow #SecureYourRide on X (@RCMPAlberta) and Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta) for crime prevention tips this month to keep your OHVs safe so you can enjoy them all season long!
Summer travel
The summer season means more travel for Albertans. Whether visiting our provincial and national parks, or enjoying a nice drive through the mountains, drivers will be sharing the road with commercial vehicles.
To ensure a safe trip for commercial and passenger motorists, the Westlock RCMP offers these tips:
* Commercial drivers should complete pre-trip equipment checks to ensure your vehicle is road-worthy.
* Be sure to leave enough distance between you and other vehicles on the road.
* Have an alternative route plan in place in the event of road closures.
* Plan your trip with enough time to reduce urgency, and rest when you are tired.
* Commercial vehicles cannot maneuver or stop as quickly as a passenger vehicle. When behind a commercial vehicle, maintain a safe following distance. This can be determined by your ability to see their side mirrors at all times.
* Before changing lanes in front of a commercial vehicle, signal well in advance, and be sure to leave extra space before taking the lane. Avoid driving in a commercial vehicle’s blind spots.
