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29 charges total

Two-day crime spree nets multiple charges for two Hatters

Oct 14, 2021 | 11:08 AM

REDCLIFF, AB – Two Medicine Hat men are facing a host of charges after a two-day crime spree earlier this month in Redcliff and Cypress County.

According to Redcliff RCMP, it started at about 8:50 p.m. on Oct. 5 when the two suspects broke into a business in Cypress County by smashing an office window. RCMP say they stole tools, credit and fuel cards and personal items belonging to employees.

The following day at about 7:30 a.m. RCMP from Redcliff and Bow Island responded to a break and enter at a business on Pembina Drive in Redcliff. They say the suspects broke into a compound and then entered the business using a garage door opener found in an unlocked vehicle.

RCMP say extensive damage was done inside the building and several items were stolen including tools, keys and a cash box with an undisclosed amount of money. After exiting the business, says police, the suspects stole a 2012 Dodge Ram, a 2019 Dodge Ram 5500, a N&N Triple Axel dump trailer, a Falcon flat deck trailer, a 2012 Bobcat S175 and a 2019 Bobcat T770.

Police tracked the two trucks via their GPS systems and soon found one of the trucks, the dump trailer, the flat deck trailer and both Bobcats at a rural location near Dunmore. The truck had been abandoned.

At about 9 a.m. Oct. 6 the other stolen pickup truck was located on a rural road west of Suffield. Police say the suspect drove through
a farmer’s yard and fence to evade police. They stopped following due to public safety concerns and deployed additional resources in an effort to locate the suspect vehicle.

At about 2:30 p.m., Redcliff RCMP arrested the suspect as he tried to steal another vehicle in Stettler County. The arrest happened with the assistance of the Calgary Police Service HAWC2 Helicopter, Medicine Hat ALERT Regional Property Crime Unit, Calgary and Red Deer Police Dog Services and the Bow Island, Brooks, Oyen, Hannah, Consort and Stettler RCMP Detachments.

The second suspect was located and arrested later the same day at a residence in Medicine Hat without incident. The blue truck allegedly used in the first break and enter was recovered and found to have been stolen from Leader, Sask.

Craig Edward Perini, 31, is facing the following 23 charges:

  • Breaking and entering a business with Intent (x2)
  • Dangerous operation of a conveyance (x6)
  • Flight from Peace Officer
  • Operation of conveyance while prohibited
  • Unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon
  • Possession of break-in instruments
  • Mischief over $5,000
  • Mischief under $5,000
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x3)
  • Fail to comply with release order (x3)
  • Assault on peace officer with a weapon
  • Assault on peace officer

Joshua Francis McCarthy, 35, is facing the following six charges.

  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
  • Fail to comply with release order (x2)
  • Possession of a stolen card
  • Break and enter a business with intent
  • Mischief under $5000

Both were remanded into custody after a bail hearing and will appear in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on Oct. 14.