The RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) helped arrest an alleged irrigation equipment thief earlier this month.
According to police, SAD CRU began investigating a series of thefts from irrigation pivots in May, alongside Strathmore and Brooks RCMP.
"These thefts began in the area of Wheatland County, and the investigation led to a suspect being identified," wrote RCMP in a news release.
SAD CRU officers spotted the suspect in the process of stealing equipment from a Newell County farm on July 16. When the suspect spotted the officers, they sped away from the scene.
"The suspect was located in Brooks and arrested," wrote police. "Through further investigation, police were able to confirm the suspect’s involvement in additional irrigation equipment thefts from farms in Southern Alberta, including within the MD of Taber."
Abram Wiebe Ham, a 31-year-old Vauxhall resident, 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 from custody and is ordered to appear in a Medicine Hat court on Aug. 6.