Two adult males and an adult female are facing several charges after leading RCMP on a pursuit through rural highways and farmers’ fields early this morning.

On July 17, 2018 at approximately 4:30 a.m., Bassano RCMP received a call of an alarm at a business in the hamlet of Hussar. On arrival it was determined that a break and enter had occurred where suspects removed the ATM from the building and fled.

At approximately 7:30 a.m., Bassano RCMP received a call of an attempted theft from a rural property north of Bassano where the victim was following the suspects who had departed in a vehicle.

While following the suspects, one suspect had leaned out the window of the moving vehicle and pointed a long gun at the victim. The victim stopped following and was not injured.

Shortly thereafter the vehicle was located by RCMP and a pursuit was initiated when the vehicle failed to stop for police. The pursuit continued through Bassano’s rural area and ended when the suspect’s stolen vehicle got stuck in a field.

With assistance from Brooks RCMP, Drumheller RCMP, Gleichen RCMP, RCMP Emergency Response Team, and the Calgary Police Service  HAWCS helicopter, a male and female suspect were arrested at scene. The third suspect fled on foot and was apprehended by RCMP Police Dog Services.

All three suspects remain in custody with charges pending.

Drumheller RCMP are warning the public about a recent increase in local women being invited to attend 'gifting cloud' or 'pay-it-forward cloud' events, also known as 'gifting circles'.

The concept re-emerges every few years, frequently changing names due to the stigmas that are associated to the previous scheme.

The clouds essentially promise that if you invest a sum of $5000 and recruit two to six more people who are willing to invest, you will receive a 'gift' of $40000 somewhere between 4 month and 1 year later. The language used is designed to make the women (and occasionally men)  believe that it's a 'community' which helps people be financially independent and/or contribute to society in a positive way, they will be made to feel important, being told that it is an anonymous, invite only event.

Despite the positive terminology used, the clouds are by definition, Pyramid schemes and are illegal in Canada. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre defines a pyramid scheme as "frauds that are based on recruiting an ever-increasing number of investors" and police want to make it clear that it is illegal to promote a pyramid scheme or even to participate. 

If you are being recruited or enticed by one of these events, it’s recommended that you do the research associated to Pyramid schemes and learn why the model is not sustainable and why it is illegal.

Contact Drumheller RCMP if you require more information, or report occurrences to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.