This past week, Cochrane RCMP released that in July, eight out of fourteen reported vehicle thefts in our community occurred on unlocked vehicles.

Amidst sending out a friendly reminder for residents to diligently lock up, Cochrane RCMP was once again called out to investigate suspicious prowlers along River Avenue.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday (August 3rd), an alert resident observed some suspicious activity that included suspect(s) checking door handles and entering vehicles in the nearby vicinity. Once on scene, RCMP located a suspicious vehicle operating in the area. 

According to Sergeant Tom Kalis, several suspicious items were observed during a search of the vehicle as well as on the suspect(s) themselves. Finding a significant stash of stolen property that included a wallet, credit cards, a passport, two sets of golf clubs, a stolen RCMP police badge, and several cellular telephones; RCMP also shares a quantity of methamphetamine was also recovered on scene.

Besides the significant find, the check also revealed the occupants were on release conditions, including a curfew.  

Airdrie residents Tyler Joshua Bell, twenty-two years of age, and Rory William Libbrecht, twenty, are charged with nine counts of possessing property obtained by crime.

On top of the nine counts, Bell has also been charged separately with breaching his release conditions and possession of methamphetamine, while Libbrecht is charged separately with two counts of breaching his probation order.

Tyler Bell appeared in court and was released today (August 6), while Rory Libbrecht remains in custody. 

Cochrane RCMP would like to thank the community at large for their vigilance, but once again implore residents to secure their belongings and lock motor vehicles. With most prowlers preying on easy targets, a simple remedy is to ensure motor vehicles and homes are indeed secure before calling it a night.