Strathcona County, Alta. – Strathcona County RCMP Property Crime Unit have arrested two males in relation to the theft of a semi truck and trailer that was stolen from Nisku, Alta earlier that morning.
On Jan. 12, 2022 at 12:13 p.m., Edmonton Police Service (EPS) contacted the RCMP Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CADCRU) and Strathcona County RCMP Property Crime Unit advising they had located a stolen semi truck and trailer parked off Highway 21 near Sherwood Park, Alta.
The trailer was loaded with lumber valued at $80,000. EPS maintained surveillance as the semi truck began driving to a gas station on Highway 16 near Ardrossan, Alta. and parked again. CADCRU and Strathcona County RCMP Property Crime Unit maintained surveillance on the semi truck valued at $300,000.
A second vehicle arrived and picked up the driver from the semi truck and both left the parking lot leaving behind the semi truck and lumber. Police located the vehicle in St. Albert, Alta. and the two males were arrested without incident.
Police determined the second vehicle had been reported stolen from Loon Lake, Sask. in 2017.
Morris Simmonds (59) of Edmonton, Alta. has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property (x4)
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited
Trevis Kleparchuk (51) of Edmonton, Alta. has been charged with:
- Possession of stolen property
- Operation of motor vehicle while prohibited
- Fraudulent concealment
Simmonds and Kleparchuk were both remanded into custody following a Judicial Interim Release hearing and are scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Park on Jan. 19, 2022.
“Intelligence sharing between various law enforcement agencies is crucial in solving these multi-jurisdictional crimes,” says Cpl. Ben Ruddick of the Strathcona County RCMP Property Crime Unit. “This is a great example of collaboration between two separate police forces to hold these two suspects accountable for their actions.”
To report suspicious activity or a crime please contact the Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.