On Dec. 13, 2013 the Thorsby Arms and Ammo shop was broken into and 12 firearms were stolen. No suspects were identified at the time. After a lengthy investigation which remained opened for over two years and involved Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt RCMP, the Thorsby RCMP with the assistance of the Forensic Identification Section and Edmonton Police Service have charged one man with 15 criminal code charges.
On Feb. 29, 2016 the Thorsby RCMP laid the following charges against 36-year-old Steve Carrier: 12 counts of possession of property (firearm) obtained by crime; one count of mischief, one count of possession of firearms without holding a license and one count of being an occupant in a motor vehicle in which he knew there was a firearm, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
In addition Steve Carrier faces another, unrelated, break and enter charge out of Grande Prairie.
On Mar. 6, 2016 Edmonton Police Service assisted by arresting Carrier and conducting a hearing in relation to Thorsby RCMP’s outstanding charges. Carrier is released from custody on several conditions and scheduled to appear in court on Mar. 23, 2016 in Breton Provincial Court.
No additional information shall be forthcoming as this matter is now before the court.
BACKGROUND:
At approximately 0230hrs on December 13, 2013 the Thorsby/Breton RCMP responded to a complaint of an alarm at the Thorsby Arms and Ammo in Thorsby, Alberta.
On arrival officers discovered that a vehicle had been used to break through the wall of the building. No suspects or vehicles were located at that time.
Video surveillance from the store was reviewed and a suspect vehicle was identified as an older model Chevrolet Dually truck with a flat deck. On the deck was a slip tank. It also was found to have a large front steel bumper. The described vehicle was later recovered in the area of the Deer Lodge Hall near Mayerthorpe. The truck was found to have been stolen from Whitecourt sometime since 5 pm on December 12 2013.
The suspects were identified as two males about 5' 10" to 6'0 tall, slim build. One male had facial hair and was wearing a white hoodie and a plaid jacket, light colored pants, and black boots. The second male was wearing a white shirt with light colored toque, light grey hoodie, and hiking boots.
The suspects loaded the firearms into a black duffel bag and garbage bags.
The following is an inventory of items stolen:
1) Kimber Custom II (Semi-automatic Pistol) 7) Remington 1911 R1 (Semi-automatic Pistol)
2) Taurus Judge (.410 Revolver) 8) Remington 1911 R1 (Semi-automatic Pistol)
3) Ruger VAQUERO (.357 Revolver 9) Taurus 24/7 (Semi-automatic Pistol)
4) Heritage Rought Rider (.45 6 shot Revolver) 10) Glock 22 Gen4 (.44 Semi-auto Pistol)(Crimson red lazer site)
5) Kimber Desert Warrior (Semi-automatic Pistol) 11) Jericho 941 (9 mm Semi-automatic)(Baby Eagle)
6) Kimber Custom Crimson Carry (Semi-auto Pistol) 12) Nea15 (Semi-automatic assault rifle) (Leupold Optic)