RCMP in Drumheller have laid charges against three individuals relating to numerous property crimes which have occurred over the last two weeks.
Shortly after midnight October 31, 2016, two suspects entered a locked compound at 4 Elements Environment Control Inc in Drumheller and stole a John Deere "Gator" utility vehicle and a slip tank. Video surveillance at the business showed a male and female suspect who were later identified as Benjamin Olivier and Jamie Olivier.
Between November 12 and November 13, 2016, there was a break-in to a Sea-Can behind the Drumheller Marks Work Warehouse during which several boots and clothing items were stolen.
In the early morning hours of November 15, 2016, two persons were discovered allegedly stealing tool boxes from a truck. The complainant followed the supects who crashed their truck into a ditch and fled on foot. Terry Heptonstall, the registered owner of the vehicle and the driver, eventually turned himself into police at the scene and stolen property was recovered.
The passenger fled and was tracked by Police Service Dog approximately 11 kilometres to a farmers field south of Drumheller, however was not located. A search warrant was obtained for Heptonstall's vehicle and numerous articles of stolen property were found as well as a weapon and drug paraphernalia.
On the morning of Tuesday, November 15, Drumheller RCMP responded to a complaint of a stolen truck from the same area where the police dog had tracked the passenger from the earlier event. The stolen truck was later located in the Drumheller Walmart parking lot at which time it fled from police, struck a parked vehicle and then drove into oncoming traffic.
The driver of the stolen truck was identified by police as Benjamin Olivier. An employee of Walmart also reported to police that the driver of the stolen truck had allegedly stolen several pairs of footwear from the store before the events in the parking lot took place.
Later that same evening, the stolen truck was spotted again in Drumheller driving in a dangerous manner and witnesses were able to identify Ben Olivier as the driver.
Drumheller RCMP obtained a search warrant for a hotel room occupied by Ben and Jamie Olivier on November 16. Jamie Olivier was arrested at the hotel room while Benjamin Olivier fled by climbing out a second story window. He was arrested after a brief foot pursuit. During the search of the hotel room, investigators located property stolen from the truck, Sea-Can as well as drugs, paraphernalia and break in tools.
Benjamin Olivier, age 36 from Hanna, has been charged with:
- Two counts of theft under $5000
- Possession of stolen property
- Driving while unauthorized
- Flight from police
- Two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Failing to comply with recognizance
- Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
- Resisting arrest
Jamie Olivier, age 32, from Hanna, has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property
- Possession of break-in tools
- Possession of a controlled substance
Terry Heptonstall, age 36, from Drumheller has been charged with:
- Three counts of possession of stolen property
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
All three accused have been remanded into custody and made their first court appearance on November 18 in Drumheller Provincial court.
