The Esso convenience store in Coleman. (Google Maps)

By David Opinko

Trio arrested in connection to 17 break and enters, including in Coleman

Apr 9, 2020 | 11:11 AM

STRATHCONA COUNTY, AB – Strathcona County RCMP have arrested three people in a long series of break and enters and thefts from ATM’s across the province.

Their Property Crimes Unit has been investigating this matter since July 2019, but the incidents in question took place from August 2016 to November 2019 in several communities.

Officers were able to connect the trio to all 17 break and enters.

“Information was shared amongst several different detachments, with notable contributions by Bonnyville RCMP Detachment’s General Investigation Section and the Slave Lake RCMP Detachment,” reads a release from Strathcona County RCMP.

In total, approximately $650,000 in cash was stolen from businesses, including:

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• Canmore Shell – August 10, 2016
• Airdrie Shell – September 18, 2016
• Red Deer Shell – October 14, 2016
• Blackfalds Fas Gas – August 19, 2017
• Blackfalds Fas Gas – December 13, 2017
• Valleyview Petro Canada – January 22, 2018
• Bonnyville Fas Gas – June 14, 2018
• Red Deer Fas Gas – August 6, 2018 and August 9, 2018
• Slave Lake Fas Gas – March 20, 2019
• Devon Fas Gas – April 15, 2019
• Leduc Fas Gas – April 17, 2019
• Sherwood Park Fas Gas – July 4, 2019
• Devon Fas Gas – August 9, 2019
• Coleman Esso – November 23, 2019
• Airdrie Fas Gas – November 25, 2019
• Penhold Fas Gas – November 26, 2019

Kevin Lee Sider, 40, of Edmonton, is facing 33 charges including but not limited to 17 break and enters to businesses, money laundering, and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Bruce Wayne Larter, 53, of Leduc, is facing 11 charges including but not limited to four break and enters to businesses, money laundering, and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Sider and Larter were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on May 1, 2020.

“CCTV footage from the targeted and neighbouring businesses contributed significantly to this investigation, and helped link previously unsolved break and enters from years past. Investigators would like to extend their appreciation to those business that went above what is expected to ensure their systems were working properly, well guarded and capable of retaining sufficient quality footage for an extended period of time.”