Two Alberta men charged with canola theft

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Two Alberta men were arrested and charged with stealing a « significant quantity » of canola from a farm in Camrose County last week.

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RCMP said the theft occurred in the early morning hours of September 28.

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On the same day, RCMP received a report of suspicious individuals attempting to sell canola at approximately 1:30 p.m. A suspected stolen vehicle and grain truck were located by RCMP and the driver of the vehicle was arrested in Mirror, Alberta. Police searched the vehicle and found a 12 gauge shotgun.

At the same time, officers from the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit, with the assistance of Bashaw and Stettler RCMP, attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the grain truck. However, Mounties said the truck did not stop for officers and was eventually pulled over when police deployed a tire deflation device. With the assistance of an RCMP helicopter and dog services, the driver of the grain truck was arrested.

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A stolen grain auger, a firearm and a large amount of canola were found following the investigation.

Jesse James Lyman MacDonald, 33, of Stettler, faces 14 counts, including fleeing a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, possession of a weapon for dangerous goods and trafficking in property obtained by crime.

Tristan James Ruby, 36, of Stettler, faces 16 counts in total, including nine counts of unlawful liberty, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and trafficking in property obtained by crime.

Both suspects have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on October 4.