One man has been arrested and another is wanted on several charges after a break-in and theft of copper wire in the M.D. of Ranchland.

On May 18 at about 4:10 a.m., Nanton and Claresholm RCMP received reports of a break-in at a compressor station near Highway 22 and Highway 520.

When police arrived, two suspects fled on foot into a wooded area.

RCMP pursued the two with help of police dogs and tracked down one of the suspects very quickly.

After a further search of the area, officers couldn’t locate the second man, though he has been identified.

A large amount of copper wire was found to have been stolen from the site, as well as equipment, which he suspects had been loaded into a vehicle.

The first man, 40-year-old Shane Lewis of Nanton, is facing the following charges:

  • Mischief over $5000 contrary to Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code.
  • Break and Enter and Commit Theft contrary to Section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 contrary to Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code.

He was released on a $2000 Promise to Pay release order with conditions and is due in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on June 8.

A warrant for the second suspect, 28-year-old Dallan Moser of Nanton, has been issued.

He’s wanted on several charges:

  • Mischief over $5000 contrary to Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code.
  • Break and Enter and Commit Theft contrary to Section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 contrary to Section 355(a) of the Criminal Code.
  • Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code.

RCMP believe a passing motorist may have picked Moser up at the time of the investigation.

They're asking anyone with information to contact Nanton RCMP at (403) 646-5722 or Claresholm RCMP at (403) 625-4445.

Sgt. Robert Harms of Claresholm RCMP was quoted in a release: 

“Anti-theft precautions, such as on-site surveillance cameras and close monitoring of the site by staff, were key to the apprehension of one suspect, the identification of another, and the quick recovery of all stolen property.”