Firearms and power tools were among the $85,000 in stolen property seized during a police investigation earlier this month.
According to Lethbridge Police Service officials, the investigation stemmed from a proactive patrol where officers observed an open gate at a northside business and conducted a safety check. Police say when officers from the Downtown Policing Unit made their check, they found a man accessing two open units and sea cans. Multiple power tools were visible inside one of the units, which officers believe are related to a break-in.
Police say the man was found not to be the owner of the units and was arrested for trespassing. Police were given a search warrant, which they executed at the storage facility. They are said to have recovered more than $60,000 worth of stolen power tools that are linked to five separate break-and-enters, five stolen firearms, ammunition and a small quantity of fentanyl. Officers also were able to get a search warrant for a second location on the city’s south side, where they recovered another $25,000 in stolen property, including power tools, electric scooters and bikes that were linked to five other break-in and theft-related files, including numerous power tools, electric scooters and bikes, along with airsoft guns.
Police also seized a truck, which had been reported stolen from the Crowsnest Pass, where police seized ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Police say that from the evidence, it is suggested that the pair who lived in the home were accepting stolen property as payment for drugs.
Three men are facing charges connected to this file. A 35-year-old and a 28-year-old are facing break and enter, stolen property, weapon and drug-related charges and have been remanded into custody.
While a 27-year-old has been released is facing charges for drugs and stolen property. He has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court at the beginning of next year.
