Courtesy: Alberta RCMP
Alberta RCMP charges oilfield thieves operating in Northwest Alberta and BC
Grande Prairie, Alta. – On January 12, 2024, members of the Western Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (WAD CRU), with the assistance of RCMP Air Services, took two individuals into custody following a several-month-long investigation into thefts from oil and gas sites throughout the region. WAD CRU began the investigation in the fall of 2023, monitoring the suspects for involvement in crimes targeting oil and gas sites in the County of Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview, Big Lakes County, Woodlands County, Parkland County and the Peace River District of BC.
Michael O’Bee (44) and Denai Lanz (41), both residents of Grande Prairie, have been charged with multiple offences in both Alberta and BC, including:
- Break and Enter;
- Theft Under $5000;
- Possession of Break-In Instruments;
- Mischief Over $5000;
- Possession of a Controlled Substance; and
- Multiple counts of Failing to Comply with Release Orders.
O’Bee and Lanz were brought before a Justice of the Peace. O’Bee was remanded into custody and Lanz was released on conditions. O’Bee will appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on Jan. 29, 2024, while Lanz is due to appear on Feb. 5, 2024.
“The successful outcome of this file was a result of a combined efforts from several RCMP Detachments in Western Alberta and BC, along with the assistance of specialized RCMP units including Air Services and Police Dog Services” says Sgt. Chris Power of WAD CRU. “Our unit continues to work with local detachments to identify, disrupt, and bring those responsible for targeted oil and gas site thefts before the courts”.
