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Five suspects arrested near Vulcan in multiple thefts

Nov 16, 2018 | 1:31 PM

VULCAN —  RCMP from Nanton and Vulcan have charged two women and three men in relation to a cannabis grow operation and multiple thefts, after executing the search of a rural property.
 
The search took place on Tuesday, Nov 13, on a rural property at Township Road 174 and Highway 23.
 
The RCMP Crime Reduction Unit seized items that had been stolen from the Vulcan, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Redcliffe, Strathmore, and Calgary areas, and recovered a large amount of copper wire taken during numerous oil well thefts.
 
Among the items seized: five firearms; two crossbow; three bows; three ATVs; an ATV trailer; two cans of bear spray and a large amount of copper wire.

Police also discovered a grow operation on the property and seized 934 grams of cannabis.

Those arrested and charged are:

Brian Christopher Aske (40) of no fixed address, has been charged with four counts of Possession of stolen property over $5,000; seven counts of Possession of stolen property under $5,000; Possession of break and enter tools; four counts of Possession of a prohibited weapon and Possession of ammunition.

Shaun Laraine Matchett (22) of Redcliff,  has been charged with four counts of Possession of stolen property over $5,000; seven counts of Possession of stolen property under $5,000; Possession of break and enter tools; and two counts of Possession of a prohibited weapon.

Ross Brian James (37) of no fixed address, has been charged with four counts of Possession of stolen property over $5,000; seven counts of Possession of stolen property under $5,000 and Possession of break and enter tools.

Danny Robert Longbotham (47) of Vulcan, has been charged with four counts of Possession of stolen property over $5,000; seven counts of Possession of stolen property under $5,000 and Possession of break and enter tools.

Shannon Lynn Murray (37) of Vulcan, has been charged with four counts of Possession of stolen property over $5,000, seven counts of Possession of stolen property under $5,000 and Possession of break and enter tools.

Aske, Matchett, James, and Longbotham were remanded for an initial appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Nov. 16, 2018.

Murray was released from custody on a recognizance to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Nov. 16, 2018.

The Vulcan RCMP are asking the public for any information in relation to these thefts. Please contact Vulcan RCMP at 403-485-2397. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com.