Brooks RCMP arrested several suspects, including a 78-year-old man, in connection to a string of thefts throughout the area.
The investigation began in April, with RCMP detachments in Redcliff, Drumheller, Strathmore, Three Hills, Bassano, and Taber-Vauxhall assisting in locating two stolen vehicles and arresting a suspect.
The Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) followed up later that month alongside detachments in High River and Okotoks to execute a search warrant in Aldersyde.
As a result of the investigation, police located:
- Stolen trailers (x3)
- Stolen Trucks (x3)
- Stolen motor bikes (x3)
- A stolen ATV
- Stolen firearm (x3)
- Forged documents
- 61 other firearms
Following a police chase, police arrested 44-year-old Clayton Whaling and charged him with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime (x8)
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Flight from police
- Mischief
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Failure to comply with a release order (x3)
- Possession of break in tools
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
Officers also arrested 78-year-old Allan Eroshinsky and Chad Eroshinsky, charging them with possession of property obtained by a crime, careless storage of a firearm, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
During the original investigation, police also arrested 43-year-old William Holub and charged him with flight from police, break and enter, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Chad and Allan were released from custody, while Whaling was remanded. All three have court dates set for May 30 in Okotoks.
Holub was released from custody as well, with a court date set for an unknown date in Brooks.
Officers added that two of the stolen firearms were connected to the same break and enter that led to another two firearms being recovered in a Rockyford search.
Police say this demonstrates how different crime groups are interconnected.