Sherwood Park, Alta. – On Dec. 4, 2019, Strathcona County RCMP responded after a keen eyed citizen called police to report that grain was being removed from a neighbours’ property and did not believe it was authorized. Police attended the rural location near Josephburg, Alta. and determined that a grain company had made arrangements to buy the grain.
Further investigation by the Strathcona County RCMP Property Crimes Unit revealed that a company had been contacted by a male purporting to be the seller. Through online and text communication with this male, the grain company arranged to buy over $50,000 worth of grain and had begun the process of removing the grain from the bins on the rural property. The neighbour was aware that the actual owner was away from the property and police determined that the male did not have permission to sell the grain. As a result of the police investigation, a male was identified and charges were laid.
Bryce Allan Smith (32) of Fort Saskatchewan was charged with one count of trafficking stolen property over $5000. He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Court on Jan. 15, 2020.
“Being aware of your property and what is happening in your neighbourhood makes it easier to identify suspicious activity,” says Constable Allison Gyonyor. “This is a great example of why we want the public to report things that seem out of the ordinary in their area.”
If you have any information about this, or any other crime, please call the Strathcona County RCMP at (780) 467-7741, or your local police detachment. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com,or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).