RCMP in Coaldale have arrested a man who they say is connected to thefts in numerous communities including High River and Okotoks.

They were called by local farmers on December 16 advising they'd located and apprehended a man who stole their vehicle. 

When RCMP arrived, they found the suspect was in possession of a stolen vehicle with a different stolen license plate.

Officers searched the vehicle and located several stolen items and articles of clothing that connects the man to nine unsolved property-related cases stemming from Coleman, Coaldale, Lethbridge County, Monarch, Coalhurst, High River, Okotoks, and Calgary.

24-year-old Dustin Gordon McCracken of Coalhurst has been charged with the following offences:

  • Assault with a Weapon
  • Break and Enter x 3
  • Possession of Firearm contrary to Prohibition Order
  • Theft of Motor Vehicle x 2
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 2
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 x 6
  • Operate a motor vehicle while Prohibited
  • Fail to Comply with Release Order
  • Possession of Break in Tools
  • Fraud Under $5000
  • Breach of a Conditional Sentence Order x6

McCracken has been remanded in custody.

In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, HighRiverOnline and OkotoksOnline encourage you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the HighRiverOnline or OkotoksOnline app.