Victims were sleeping while thieves stole electronics, bikes and keys to vehicle
Three suspects connected to a recent break-and-enter at a family home in Jasper have been arrested by RCMP officers.
On April 26, Jasper RCMP received a report of a break-and-enter at a residence in Jasper. The victims reported their truck stolen, and that multiple possessions had been taken from their home in the middle of the night.
“The suspects were able to enter the back of the residence at night, while the residents were sleeping,” said Alberta RCMP media officer Cpl. Mathew Howell.
Later that same day, the Jasper family’s stolen truck was located by Parkland RCMP, west of Edmonton. Three women, possessing drugs and weapons—including methamphetamine, cocaine and two shotguns—were located in the vehicle and arrested.
Police are still investigating to determine if the arrested suspects were the same burglars at the Jasper home invasion, according to Cpl. Howell.
“Hopefully through the investigation we will see whether or not the people in the vehicle were the also linked to the B&E or if something else happened as a go-between,” he said.
In the wake of the brazen crime, Jasper RCMP Detachment Staff Sergeant Rick Bidaisee is reminding the Jasperites that their community is on a major thoroughfare which can be used by people with criminal intentions.
“It is important to secure your residence, garages and vehicles,” Sgt. Bidaisee said.
Howell added that although it’s never the victims’ fault that a crime occurs, there are ways to make your property less-appealing to potential thieves.
“No one is immune from crime in general, and especially with property theft, a lot of them are crimes of opportunity,” he said.
He said making your house less-vulnerable to crime—locking doors, investing in security cameras, ensuring possessions aren’t highly visible, for example—are preventative measures that help deter sporadic thefts.
“Even in a small town, we don’t know that day who’s driving through town…people need to understand there are ways to make your property less-appealing to a potential thief.”
Two individuals from Duffield, Alberta—a hamlet 30 kilometres west of Spruce Grove—and a resident of Myrnam, Alberta (a village appx. 180 NE of Edmonton) were arrested.
As a result of the investigation, Twyla Sara Dawn Bird (37-years-old), Kayla Ann Marie Bird (40) and Alicia Reba Bull (36) are charged with multiple crimes, including: possession of a controlled substance; possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and other fire-arm-related offences.
The matter is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jasper RCMP detachment at 780 852 4848. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at www.P3Tips.com
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
