Cochrane RCMP is once again imploring the public to lock up, remove valuables and do not leave vehicles running with keys in the ignition after spending the long weekend investigating or recovering countless stolen vehicles.

Constable Kary Moore is unsure how to drive the message home that thieves are looking for easy prey. "I believe temperature and the cold weather definitely factor into it. My colleagues are teasing me that I send out these releases and information but it is still happening. So I am not sure what the answer is, I guess the message is not being received."

Once again, Cst. Moore says they are asking everyone to secure their valuables, remove them out of sight and if you are warming up your car for any length of time to remain in your vehicle while you do so.

In cases where RCMP confirm a vehicle in motion is stolen they will not enter into a pursuit for a number of reasons. "We certainly do still try and stop the vehicle, you may see us trying to initiate a traffic stop which is like us stopping a speeder or anybody we would issue a ticket, however, the RCMP does not pursue stolen vehicles; the safety risk is one factor. 

A quick recap of all the thefts is below:

  • February 16, 7 am- A stolen Calgary vehicle was located near Jumping Pound Petro Canada on Highway 1 with numerous people sleeping in it. All occupants were arrested without incident. Dennis Wildman, 38, has been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 plus an additional four charges.
  • February 17, 6:30 am- Cochrane RCMP respond to a vehicle theft from the Glenbow area of Cochrane. Upon police arrival, they recovered a second vehicle reported stolen from Calgary.  The first vehicle has not been recovered, it is described as a 1999 silver Honda Civic with an Alberta license plate of BXP8084.
  • February 17, 7:00 am- Cochrane RCMP respond to a theft complaint from River Heights, upon police arrival, the stolen vehicle was located nearby, stuck in a snowbank.
  • February 17, 9:00 am- Cochrane RCMP respond to a report of an abandoned vehicle which turns out to be reported stolen from Calgary.
  • February 18, 4:40 am- Cochrane RCMP receive a report of an attempted theft of a vehicle. This vehicle was not stolen but was damaged.
  • February 18, 5 am- Cochrane RCMP receive a report of a stolen truck from West Valley. This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a black 1999 Dodge Dakota with an Alberta license plate of BRW1878
  • February 18, 5:20 am- Cochrane RCMP receive a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the downtown area of Cochrane. This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a grey 2015 Ford F350 with an Alberta license plate of BYY8655
  • February 18, 10:25 am- A stolen motor vehicle from Gleneagles is reported. This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a white 2018 Ford F150 with Alberta license plate BYM5070.
  • February 18, 1:30 pm- Cochrane RCMP responded to an abandoned vehicle which was determined as stolen.
  • February 18, 2 pm- This time RCMP investigate a complaint of a stolen trailer from the rural Cochrane area.  The trailer has not been recovered and is described as 2013 Forest River, silver enclosed trailer with Alberta LP of 4LH888.
  • February 18, 2:15 pm- A suspicious vehicle near the Springbank Airport is discovered to be stolen out of Calgary.  Thomas Labelle (32) and Raymond Ackroyd (35) have both been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000. 
  • February 18, 2:25 pm- Cochrane RCMP respond to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at the Jumping Pound Petro Canada which turns out to be reported stolen out of Calgary. Roosevelt Cecil (44) has been charged with one count of being in possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5000. Lyle Bearsaw (24) has also been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, plus 7 additional charges.
  • February 19, 2:30 am-  A theft of a motor vehicle from the rural Cochrane area is located on February 20, 2018 by the Didsbury RCMP.
  • February 19, 10:15 am- Cochrane RCMP recover a stolen vehicle by using the vehicles’ onboard GPS.
  • February 19, 12:45 pm- While on patrol RCMP recover a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Calgary.
  • February 19, 3:45 pm- Cochrane RCMP received a report that a truck has been stolen from the downtown area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a black 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 with Alberta license plate EVT574.
  • February 19, 5 pm- While on patrol, the Cochrane RCMP recover a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Calgary.
  • February 19, 5:30 pm- While on patrol, RCMP enter into an investigation of a suspicious vehicle with a male sitting inside which is determined stolen. Charges are pending. 
  • February 19, 6 pm- A truck is reported stolen from the Benchlands area. This vehicle is still outstanding and described as white 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega pickup truck.
  • February 20, 7:30-8:30 am- The Cochrane RCMP were making proactive patrols in residential areas of Cochrane, checking vehicles that were left running.  If vehicles were located running and unlocked the keys were removed from the vehicle and returned to the homeowner.
  • February 20, 8 am- A report of stolen motor vehicle from Jumping Pound is investigated. This vehicle has not been located and described as a white 2017 Ford F150 with an Alberta license plate of BXY8063.

Cst. Moore states despite the growing incidents the RCMP are thankful to the public at large for calling in reports of suspicious activity occurring in neighbourhoods and encourages this to continue. "We do appreciate all the phone calls we're getting and that this is also on the rise. It at least gets us in the area because people know what's normal in their neighbourhoods where we may not. So if they call in something that looks weird, it may be fruitful for us."

If you have ANY information regarding any of the numerous vehicles or thefts, contact the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.