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Vol. 12, No. 1, Tuesday, October 25, 2016 www.LamontLeader.com
Theft Rings uncovered! Arrests made in local robberies Michelle Pinon Editor
Citizens of Lamont and Mundare can breathe a bit easier now that the individuals responsible for ATM thefts at the Servus Credit Union branches have been arrested. This news was part of a public announcement made by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and RCMP last week. Details of the two-phase investigation that netted the suspects of two separate theft rings were officially released on October 18. The agency reported that in the first six months of 2016 more than 130 instances of ATM theft have taken place. More than 60 communities have been impacted, with banks, credit unions, gas stations, convenience stores, and drug stores.
One of those drug stores was the Guardian Pharmacy in Mundare on April 14, 2015. The Mundare Servus Credit Union theft happened on May 19, 2016, and the Lamont Servus Credit Union theft happened on March 14, 2016. A gang operating out of Saddle Lake and Edmonton were responsible for those break ins as well as several others in Saddle Lake, Goodfish Lake, and St. Paul. Tyrone Hunter, Byron Hunter, Abigail Hunter, Rodney Hunter, and Francis Cardinal face a total of 38 charges related to weapons, theft, break and enter. ALERT alleges that the group was involved in ATM thefts, firearms trafficking, and other criminal activity. “It is good news indeed to hear that five people were arrested for the ATM and Drug Store
Video footage of the thieves during the Mundare Servus Credit Union break in on May 19, 2016.
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
More than 300 people went through the second annual Indoor Haunted Maze this past weekend at the Mundare Recreation Centre. Creator Bob Gratton, center, was on hand for the fun-filled and spooky activity with Lesley Lutz, right, fundraising co-ordinator for Mundare Minor Hockey Association, and wicked volunteer Jodi Orchard. A total of $1,700 was raised for the hockey association which plans to use the funds to offset ice fees and entry fees for away tournaments for the initiation and novice level teams this hockey season. The Vipers home tournament will be held during the first weekend in February. break-ins in this area during this past year,” stated Mundare Mayor Charlie Gargus. “Generally, RCMP statistics show that the Mundare area has a low crime rate but these brazen thefts made the community very uncomfortable.” He went on to say, “Anyone that is robbed will feel violated, and that sense was shared by both the businesses and everyone in town. The insurance consequences alone are very expensive to any business, so we have upgraded our cameras and surveillance in the downtown area. Hopefully, the RCMP will continue to get our help, by having vigilant citizens stepping forward and giving the
police the help they need to make our community safe.” Brian Mulawka, spokesman for Servus Credit Union said staff are pleased the police were able to make arrests in these cases, and it is their hope that Alberta communities will be safer because of it. He also stated, “We have always used only the highest rated security products, so while damage did occur to our branches, the criminals were unable to access the secure parts of our ATM’s where the cash is stored. We remain confident in the industry leading levels of security in all our branches and facilities.”
MICHELLE PINON FILE PHOTO
This was the horrific scene at the Lamont Servus Credit Union March 14, 2016.