An investigation into several break-and-enter thefts led to a foot chase that ended with one suspect tangled in razor wire earlier this week.

Taber RCMP and the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU) had been investigating multiple reports of break and enter thefts in the area in mid-November.

On Nov. 17 they received two consecutive calls, one of a theft at a rural property, and the other claiming a suspect pointed a gun at them from a vehicle.

Taber RCMP, the Taber Police Service, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, and RCMP Police Dog Services responded, setting up a containment area in order to detain the suspects.

One of them, 42-year-old Brent Madill was arrested nearby, though the other suspect, 36-year-old Gino Policarpo, was not located.

A warrant for his arrest was issued, and on Monday, Nov. 22, he was located in South Calgary with two other men.

Policarpo fled on foot when SACRU attempted to arrest him, and officers took chase.

He was soon caught, but he broke free.

Officers caught up but were threatened with a knife Policarpo produced before fleeing for the third time.

He tried to scale a chain-link fence but became tangled in razor wire, accruing a few lacerations in the process.

Officers freed him, and he was taken to hospital before being handed over to police custody.

One of the other men, 43-year-old Craig Quesnell of Calgary, was also arrested on several outstanding warrants.

The third man who was with Policapor and Quesnell was not located.

Police seized five stolen license plates, break-in tools, and a substance believed to be fentanyl.

A release from SACRU lists the following charges:

Madill:

-Break and enter

-Theft under $5000 (x3)

-Mischief under $5000

-Operation while prohibited

-Flight from police

-Possess break-in instruments

-Fail to comply with release order (x3)

-Breach of probation (x4)

-Possession of a controlled substance (CDSA)

-Operate a motor vehicle with no insurance (TSA)

Policarpo:

-Pointing a firearm

-Possessing a dangerous weapon

-Theft (x3)

-Mischief

-Break and enter to commit theft

-Possession of Stolen Property (x6)

-Resist arrest

-Assault Peace Officer with weapon

-Possess break-in instruments

-Possession of a weapon dangerous to public

-Resist a Peace Officer

-Drive with no insurance (TSA)

He also faces charges from outstanding warrants:

-Utter threats

-Assault

-Assault with a weapon

Quesnell:

-Possession of stolen property over $5000

-Possess break-in instruments

-Break and enter to commit theft

-Fail to attend court

Policarpo and Madill were held for judicial hearings and did not speak to charges. Both were remanded into custody to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Nov. 25 and Dec. 22, respectively.

Quesnell was also remanded after a release hearing and was scheduled to appear in Calgary Provincial Court on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

 

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