RCMP arrest two Viking area residents at Alliance Battle River Railway site

On Tuesday, April 7, the Killam/ Forestburg RCMP were dispatched to a theft complaint at a Battle River Railway site in Alliance.

An unknown male and unknown female were observed on the site without permission, possibly stealing materials.

In cooperation with Viking RCMP, police were able to attend the site and enter into a theft investigation.

Upon investigation, police arrested one adult male and one adult female for theft under $5,000 for stealing steel railway plates. The vehicle used by the suspects, a white 2002 Ford pickup truck, was seized and a search warrant was executed, whereby approximately 25 steel plates belonging to Battle River Railway were recovered from the vehicle.

The two suspects included 47-year-old Blair Garrett of Viking, who was arrested and charged for theft under $5,000 and resisting arrest.

He was held for a Judicial Interim Release hearing and was released by a Justice of the Peace on a Release Order.

Also 44-year-old Astrid Garrett of Viking, was charged with theft under $5,000 and was released on an Undertaking.

Both parties were also issued trespassing violation tickets with a fine amount of $600 each.

Garrett is scheduled to appear at the Killam Court of Justice on May 5, while Astrid Garrett is scheduled for her first appearance at the Killam Court of Justice on June 2.

The Killam /Forestburg and Viking Detachments request that the public continue to report any suspicious activity as the RCMP actively work on reducing property crime in the region.

-Killam RCMP

Read this story and much more in the latest edition of The Community Press! Never miss an issue, subscribe to the Print Edition (click here), subscribe monthly to our Patreon (click here), or subscribe to our new E-edition partner Local Ink (click here)