On May 21, the Southern Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) launched an investigation into a series of vehicle thefts.
A suspect was identified, and SAD CRU with assistance from the High River, Vulcan, Airdrie, Strathmore, and Gleichen RCMP units, deployed a bait truck with GPS tracking in the rural east area of Calgary.
Between April 20 and June 15, there were 17 occurrences of vehicle thefts believed to be related to the suspect.
On June 16, the bait truck was stolen in Wheatland County.
SAD CRU, with the assistance of Strathmore and Gleichen RCMP, tracked the bait vehicle into Strathmore, where the driver fled but was arrested shortly after a foot pursuit.
Charlie Wolfear, a 25-year-old resident of Siksika First Nation, has been jointly charged by SAD CRU and Strathmore RCMP with the following offences:
-
Theft of motor vehicle (x2)
-
Resisting arrest
-
Failure to comply with release order (x2)
-
Possession of a Controlled Substance
-
Driving an uninsured motor vehicle (x3)
-
Possession of stolen property over $5,000 (x2)
-
Possession of stolen property under $5,000
-
Theft of debit card (x2)
Wolfear was additionally charged by Gleichen RCMP with the following:
-
Mischief over $5,000
-
Taking a motor vehicle without consent
-
Driving an uninsured motor vehicle
-
Possession of stolen property over $5,000
-
Possession of a prohibited weapon
-
Possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number
Wolfear was also additionally charged by Airdrie RCMP for the theft of a motor vehicle.
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Wolfear was held in custody until June 19.
He was remanded and is now scheduled to appear in court on July 3.