On Thursday, December 16, 2021, the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU) were investigating copper wire thefts from oil lease sites in the Three Hills and Hanna, Alta. area.
SACRU observed a male and female, both known to police, enter an oil lease site east of Three Hills around noon on December 16. When a covert police vehicle approached, both subjects fled back to their vehicle and left the lease site.
SACRU attended the lease site and confirmed copper wires had been cut and removed from the site, with some wire being left behind. The damage to the lease site was approximately $7,000.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., Three Hills RCMP attempted a traffic stop with the suspects who were travelling on Hwy 9 near Beiseker with the intention of arresting the two individuals. The female suspect who was driving pulled over, however when the officer approached, the suspect vehicle sped off.
On December 17, SACRU arrested Tyree Ewing, 23, of Three Hills, and Wanda Charlton, 51, of Hanna at a wire recycling business in the area of 43 Avenue S.E., and Hastings Crescent S.E., in Calgary, attempting to sell copper wire.
The investigation revealed Ewing was a recent contest winner at the business where the contestant's name would be entered in a draw for hockey tickets for bringing in 100 lbs of insulated wire.
Ewing and Charlton are jointly charged with theft not exceeding $5,000; flight from Police; trafficking property obtained by crime; mischief exceeding $5,000; possession of break-in tools.
Ewing is further charged with failing to comply with a release order; unlawfully possessing methamphetamine; and unlawfully possessing Fentanyl.
Both Ewing and Charlton were released from custody and are next scheduled to appear in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, February 18.
As these matters are now before the courts, no further details can be provided.

Students at DVSS are gearing up for an experience of a lifetime, heading to Peru for travel and service.
A group of 22 students from Grade 11 and 12 and five chaperones are getting ready to travel to Peru over the spring break. They have been planning it for about a year. While DVSS typically plans an international trip every two years. This one is a bit different.
“For a change, we wanted to make it a service trip,” explains teacher Angie Gill, who is spearheading the excursion. “We will be doing some kind of service project, which has yet to be determined, whatever is most needed, wherever we are going at the time.”
“I am also a counsellor, and I just really felt the need for our youth to experience a different culture that is not as advanced and not as wealthy. I felt there is a need for them to do some service work and put into perspective everything they are so privileged to have,” said Gill.
The trip is facilitated through Education First. It is a tour group that also offers service trips. These can only be in a few countries such as in Africa and central and southern America.
The service work could be virtually anything from education-related projects to construction or labour.
“They usually tell us about the service about a month before,” said Gill. “But they guarantee it will be a worthwhile project the community really needs.”
“Personally, I thought it would be cool to not only do the service trip but see some neat history like Machu Picchu,” said Gill.
She says the trip will offer a different perspective.
“I feel often in youth, there isn’t that worldly perspective, and trips to Europe, for example, are great for world history but I also just wanted it to involve a perspective on how fortunate we are.”
The students have paid for the trip, and part of the cost is funding the service project, but have begun a fundraising campaign to support some additional costs. This includes bussing to the airport, to cover additional COVID-related expenses such as PSR testing, and jackets so they can be identified as a group while on the trip. They are also planning on taking some items that can be donated in the communities they will be visiting.
“I have a fashion class and in preparation, we have actually made some items of clothing and items for donations to take with them down there. Our class has also made a bunch of toques and mitts they have donated to a Calgary Shelter,” said Gill.
The trip is from April 14-24, and approximately three days will be carved out for the service project.