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Drumheller RCMP intercept and arrest copper theft suspect

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On Dec. 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., an off-duty RCMP officer from Calgary was driving on highway 573 East of Drumheller when he witnessed a lone male suspect in a gas plant compressor site whom appeared to be stealing copper wire. Drumheller RCMP offciers were notified and responded to the area; however, prior to their arrival, the suspect left the scene in a white Nissan pickup truck. Through collaboration with the off-duty officer, officers intercepted and stopped the suspect vehicle.

The lone occupant of the vehicle was arrested and taken into custody. Officers located large amounts of copper wire, contraband cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, apparent cocaine, bear spray, fireworks, and more in the vehicle. Officers further confirmed that a break and enter did occur at the compressor site.

As a result, 37-year-old Bryan Burrill, a resident of Carbon, Alta., was charged with:

Break and Enter;
Mischief to Property;
Possess Weapon for Dangerous Purpose;
Possess Weapon, ammunition, or explosive contrary to a Prohibition Order;
Possess cocaine;
Possess contraband cigarettes;
Drive uninsured motor vehicle.

Burrill was taken before a Justice of the Peace for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and released. He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Jan. 26, 2024.

Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Robert HARMS, stated “The company that owns the compressor site no doubt sustained significant damages and losses as a result of this crime. The keen eye and involvement of the off duty RCMP Sergeant played a key role in not only identifying that a break and enter was in progress but also in the apprehension of the suspect.”

If you have any information regarding criminal activity, call 911, or contact your local Police Service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Administrator appointed for Big Valley after council resignations

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The Minister of Municipal Affairs has appointed an administrator for the Village of Big Valley to take on the powers and duties of the council until quorum is restored.
This comes after Mayor Clark German and Deputy Mayor Amber Hoonenberg resigned. Mayor German resigned on November 21 a day after a council meeting and Hoonenberg resigned the next day. One hotly discussed issue at the meeting was council remuneration.
Gene Sobolewski was appointed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs as the official administrator to assume council duties last week. Since Big Valley has a council of three, it is no longer able to establish quorum to govern. The lone councillor remaining is Dan Houle.
This is not the first resignation since the last general municipal election. Councillor Gail Knudsen resigned in August of 2022. In the byelection that followed German was acclaimed.
Big Valley CAO Coleen Mayne explains that at its meeting on December 18, they are giving Mr Soboblewski signing authority and to pass an interim budget.
The date has not been a date set for nominations for a byelection, however Mayne expects it will happen in March.

Drumheller and area approved for police and crisis team

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Drumheller’s RCMP has been granted funding from the province for a Regional Police And Crisis Team (RPAC Team).
This will be a two-person team made up of a police officer and a health practitioner, specializing in mental health and will be available to Drumheller and surrounding communities. They ride in a police cruiser and are engaged to where police think they are best suited for mental health calls.
Staff Sergeant Robert Harms, explains that if someone is in emotional crisis, “There’s always been the argument: is a mental health call a police matter or a medical matter? It’s both.” Mental health calls Harms has been on are some of the most dangerous because, “You have someone who is in crisis and sometimes weapons may be involved. So, there needs to be a police component to it,” he says, “They can’t diagnose or offer the best treatment to that person, but when you have a health practitioner with you, they can. It’s the best of both worlds to help people out.”

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