On January 28 at approximately 9:30 a.m., Drumheller RCMP were notified by Brooks RCMP of a suspect pickup truck, travelling north on Highway 36 near Duchess; the occupants of the vehicle were believed to be responsible for the theft of copper wire from oil sites.
At approximately 11 a.m., a member of the Drumheller Rural Traffic Unit observed the suspect vehicle on Highway 848 near Dorothy and conducted a traffic stop. Three suspects were arrested and taken into custody. The suspect vehicle was searched and found to contain large amounts of copper wire and contraband cigarettes.
Matthew Johnson, 43, and Melanie Jones, 42, both residents of Calgary, and Domingos Dacunha, 56, a resident of Wheatland County, were each charged with possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000 and possession of contraband cigarettes.
Johnson was further charged with possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000 and obstruction of a peace officer.
Jones and Dacunha were released from custody on undertakings and are to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on March 22.
Johnson was also found to be on six outstanding arrest warrants. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 1, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Siksika.
“Effective communication and teamwork between Drumheller and Brooks RCMP led to the successful apprehension of these copper thieves, “says Staff Sergeant Robert Harms of the Drumheller RCMP,,” Copper wire theft is a serious issue both in the loss of the wire, damages to property and poses serious safety risks.
