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March a very productive month for Picture Butte RCMP

Apr 3, 2017 | 4:57 PM

PICTURE BUTTE – March was a good month for Picture Butte RCMP, with significant developments in several cases.

The first was on March 3, when they recovered a trailer that had been reported stolen in Fort Macleod, as part of a joint effort with the Lethbridge Police Service. The trailer was loaded with tools that had been taken from Fort Macleod and the Grassy Lake area, with a total estimated value over $50,000. The items have been returned and possible charges are pending.

In the next case on March 13, the police service responded to a complaint in Nobleford of a vehicle window being smashed and fishing gear being stolen from it. Information gathered as part of the investigation was then used by LPS to obtain a search warrant in Lethbridge, which resulted in the seizure of stolen items — including the fishing gear — and various government documents. Charges are pending in that case as well.

Then on March 27, Picture Butte RCMP and Lethbridge ALERT searched a motel room in the community, seizing 72 fentanyl pills and charging a Lethbridge man.

On top of those cases, additional evidence was also gathered into the recovery of stolen property — reported on March 15 — which disrupted the illegal distribution of stolen fuel and resulted in new charges against Devon Vanderlinden.