Speedy investigation sees three men jailed after rash of crimes
By Kyra Hoggan
Three men are in police custody today after a rash of crimes led to a very fast and fruitful police investigation that spanned less than seven hours.
“On Jan. 22, Castlegar RCMP arrested three suspects alleged to have committed multiple offences in the Castlegar area,” said RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. “In total, the three adult males, Leonard John Huyghebaert, Andrew Genner Pike and Gregory Alan Smith are facing a total of 16 charges including theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, fraud under $5,000 and possession of drugs.”
Huyghebeart and Pike are from the Grande Prairie area and Smith had been living in Castlegar.
“The incidents are all believed to have been committed within 15 hours of the three males coming to the Castlegar area,” Mathew said. “At 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 22, Castlegar RCMP Detachment members received a report of a theft from a vehicle which had occurred overnight. At 11:30 a.m., a report was received of a suspicious male attempting to use a credit card at a business. The employee noted the credit card had a flag on it from the issuer and went to speak to the male, who departed with the credit card. At 1:49 p.m. another victim reported a theft from a vehicle. Items taken from the vehicle included the credit card used at the previous business.
“Based on the record of the transactions on the stolen credit card and information provided to police by local businesses, the suspects were found to be associated to a hotel room in Castlegar. When the one of the suspects returned to the hotel room at 3:27 p.m., he was taken into custody by police and also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. At 4:50 p.m., the other two suspects were arrested at the hotel room. Numerous stolen items and items purchased with the stolen card were recovered from the hotel room and from the suspects. Investigation also showed the suspects travelled from Alberta in a truck reported stolen from Grande Prairie. The stolen vehicle was also recovered.”
RCMP Cpl. Kelly Hall says it was gratifying to return one victim’s ID and credit cards, and says the speedy investigation and rapid arrests are a credit to the members involved.
“It was unfolding very quickly – the (members’) prompt action and investigation led to a quick intervention,” Hall said. “I believe we probably prevented a number of other offenses from happening.
“We’re always pleased when we can prevent individuals from committing further crimes in our community.”
The investigation is being conducted in coordination with Castlegar Detachment, Kootenay Boundary General Investigations Section and the Castlegar Crime Reduction Unit.
As a result of the charges, the three males have been held in custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for (today) Jan. 27 in Rossland.
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