Five people are facing a variety of charges after $15,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from the Syncrude ‘Giants of Mining’ exhibit on Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray. Mounties were called for a report of the theft in progress at 4:34 a.m. on Oct. 1. As they arrived, a black GMC truck was leaving the scene on Highway 63 southbound. Police located the truck at 5:10 a.m. and attempted a traffic stop. The truck didn’t stop for police, but officers didn’t chase it for public safety reasons. The pickup was located a second time on Highway 63 just south of Fort McMurray and officers were able to stop it successfully. Five people in the truck were arrested without incident. A search of the truck turned up copper wire, suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, bear spray, and a Taser. The truck was also determined to be stolen and the VIN altered. A 42-year-old Calgary man is charged with two counts of property obtained by crime as well as drug and weapons charges. He was released from custody with a court date of Oct. 14 in Fort McMurray. A 25-year-old woman from Rocky View County is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, flight from police, tampering with a VIN, driving without insurance or registration, and drug and weapons charges. She remains in custody and will appear in court on Oct. 19. A 46-year-old man from Rocky View County was charged with property obtained by crime as well as drug and weapons charges. He was released from custody with a court date of Oct. 15 in Fort McMurray. A 35-year-old woman from Calgary is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime as well as drug and weapons charges and failure to comply with a release order. She remains in custody with a court date on Oct. 19. A 45-year-old man from Calgary is charged with two counts of property obtained by crime, drugs and weapons charges, and two counts of failure to comply with a release order. He remains in custody with a court date on Oct. 19.
