Social media lit up with posts regarding numerous police cars in the east end of town and helicopters circling above on October 3rd.

Corporal Troy Savinkoff, with the Cochrane detachment, says RCMP has been dealing with a couple of separate incidents involving stolen vehicles and the Calgary Police Service (CPS). "We were alerted by Calgary Police Service of a stolen vehicle that was driving around in the Sunset area. Our members were deployed to that area and were able to pre-emptively set up a tire deflation device on the roadway prior to engaging with the vehicle. The device was successful, and we then were able to follow the vehicle into downtown Cochrane near the detachment area."

Successful in making three arrests, Cpl. Savinkoff shares all those involved were young offenders from the Calgary area. The suspects involved in this case are now facing charges including failure to stop for police, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, breach of probation, and breach of recognizance.

Helicopters circling the Cochrane area were also brought up, and although, Savinkoff did not have many details, it did involve another stolen vehicle. "There was another incident that came out of Calgary into the Cochrane area where the members were able to deploy a tire deflation device as well and stop the vehicle. We were successful in stopping and apprehending the driver, and I know the lone male occupant of that vehicle was then handed over to Calgary police."

There has also been an increase in theft from motor vehicles again, especially in the areas of Sunset Ridge and West Terrace, states Savinkoff. "We are aware of them, and we are adjusting our patrols in response to that."

Adding to their workload, Savinkoff says there continues to be an issue with mail theft from the Bearspaw/Springbank area. "We continue to encourage people to empty their mailbox frequently to stop the accumulation as it just makes it more advantageous for people to commit these thefts. When we ask people to do this, it is not about victim blame; it's like if you keep leaving food out for bears, they keep coming to your house. The first thing we can do to be preventative is to keep the attractants away."

Cochrane's Crime Reduction Unit, as well as, other detachment members, continue to use strategic, sophisticated techniques and strategies when it comes to apprehending these individuals. "We are successful on many occasions. Two weeks ago, we caught two different mail theft ring people, but we don't necessarily release what techniques we are using. While we do want to inform the public, we don't want to educate the criminals on our tactics."

If you have any information involving crime going on in the Cochrane area, you are asked to call the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.