A Wetaskiwin man is being charged for string of break and enters that happened in St. Albert in November.
On November 12, St. Albert RCMP responded to an incident at a gas station on Carnegie Drive where the front glass door was smashed, and several packages of cigarettes were stolen.
Video surveillance of the incident showed a man inside the business before leaving in a white hatchback.
While patrolling the area, police discovered a hair salon on Carnegie Drive with a smashed window.
Surveillance footage showed a man using a crowbar to break into the building, stealing money, hair tools, and hair products, before leaving in a white Volkswagen GTI.
It was determined through the footage that it was the same man who committed both break and enters.
Two days later, on November 14, police responded to another break and enter at the same Carnegie Drive gas station. The front door was smashed with footage showing the same man and vehicle committing the crime.
On November 16 police responded to reports of a break and enter at a car dealership on Galarneau Place, where a man stole a gold SUV from inside the dealership. Police responded, even sending out Edmonton Police Service Helicopter (Air 1) to assist.
The vehicle was tracked down with the help of EPS, with two people arrested in Edmonton on 170 Street and 114 Avenue. One person was a man inside the stolen SUV, and the other was a woman inside a stolen Volkswagen. The two vehicles were travelling together.
Evidence brought police to believe that this man was the same suspect involved in the three previous break and enters.
Shawn Phinney, a 32-year-old Wetaskiwin resident, was charged with the following:
- Break and Enter x3
- Theft of Motor
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon Contrary to an Order
- Possession of Break-In Instrument
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order
The woman, who was not named and has no fixed address, was charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x3
Both Phinney and the woman have been released from custody with the court dates scheduled in December.
