The RCMP has made an arrest in connection with the theft of some irrigation equipment in Southern Alberta.
Last May, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU), along with the Strathmore and Brooks RCMP, began investigating a series of damage to and theft from irrigation pivots from various farms.
The thefts began in the Wheatland County area, and this investigation led to a suspect being identified.
In the early morning hours of July 16, officers from SAD CRU witnessed the suspect stealing irrigation equipment from a farm in Newell County.
The suspect then fled in a vehicle at an extremely high rate of speed.
When the police were able to locate the vehicle again, it was determined that the suspect had fled on foot in the City of Brooks. He was then located in Brooks and arrested.
After further investigation, the police confirmed the suspect's involvement in some additional irrigation thefts from farms in Southern Alberta, including in the MD of Taber.
31-year-old resident of Vauxhall, Abram Wiebe Ham has been charged with:
- Theft over $5000 (x5)
- Mischief over $5000 (x5)
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Theft under $5000
- Possession of break in tools (x4)
Ham was released after a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and will appear in court in Medicine Hat on August 6.