Turner Valley RCMP is counting on High Country residents to help identify the culprits responsible for stealing guns, electronics and other items from a Millarville home.
During the day on Oct. 17, thieves entered an unlocked Millarville residence and left with four unsecured firearms, a laptop computer, a digital camera, jewelry and several pairs of women’s size five shoes.
Turner Valley RCMP Sgt. Paulina Larrey-King said the RCMP suspect three people seen in Millarville that day who seemed out of place might be responsible for the crime. She is looking for help from the public and High Country Rural Crime Watch Association to identify them.
“We have a wonderful rural crime watch,” she said. “I think they prevent a lot of incidents that have potential by reporting suspicious vehicles and challenging people or just being present.”
J.R. Allen, the association’s membership coordinator, said the organization has been in place for decades where neighbours work together to watch for suspicious activity. He said there are now almost 500 members.
“Our major goal is to encourage people to observe what’s going on in their neighbourhood,” he said. “Our major goal is to stop crime.”
Allen said Legacy Oil and Gas provides funding to cover the cost of operating the website and purchasing signage and report cards for members to record data.
“Most of the time it will be nothing, but even if there is nothing wrong (the RCMP) will check it out and maybe it is something,” he said. “There are signs that indicate these homes are under watch. It doesn’t always work, but it puts the crime level down.”
Larrey-King is not only asking for help to identify the criminal(s), she is also reminding residents to do their part to prevent future thefts of a similar nature.
“Part of it is taking responsibility for your property – locking your doors and your vehicles, being alert and reporting anything that’s been out of place,” she said. “I think that in small communities and rural areas people do have a tendency to leave their premises unsecure. It’s a false sense of security.”
A Millarville merchant reported seeing a ’90s grey Jeep Cherokee four-door with three individuals inside who seemed out of place.
One of the men was spotted milling around behind a Millarville businesses before being questioned by shop employees.
One man is described as being in his late 30s measuring about 5’6” to 5’8” in height with a medium build, red hair, a “wonky” right eye and wearing glasses, a t-shirt and jeans. The other man was described as slim, in his mid-30s with dark hair and the woman was described as slim, in her early 30s measuring about 5’6” tall with dark hair, a mole on the left side of her face wearing a skirt and high heels.
If you have information about this or any other crime contact the Turner Valley RCMP at 403-933-4262 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
For more details about the High Country Rural Crime Watch Association go to www.hcrcwa.ca
