Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CAD CRU) makesignificant seizure and lay charges

Breton, AB

Breton, Alta. - On April 11, 2024, CAD CRU were asked to assist Thorsby/Breton RCMP with a break and enter investigation. RCMP received information that a civilian was following a suspect vehicle believed to be involved in a break and enter when it slowed and then shot at the civilian.

As a result of the investigation, CAD CRU identified a suspect and requested assistance from Edmonton Police Service in conducting surveillance. As a result of their assistance, RCMP were able to obtain two search warrants, one for a property in Breton Detachment area and one for a residence in Parkland Detachment area.

On the morning of April 12, 2024, a break and enter was reported in Rimbey Detachment area, where numerous items including a truck and trailer were reported stolen. This truck and trailer, along with another truck, were observed returning to the Breton residence, at which time RCMP Emergency Response Team executed the search warrant. During this, one of the suspects used the vehicle he was driving and rammed police vehicles in an attempt to escape. This vehicle was later was determined to be a stolen vehicle which had been re-vinned. Both drivers were arrested, which a search incidental to arrest resulted in the seizure of the following:

• a loaded 9mm Beretta
• 682 grams of suspected methamphetamine
• 70 grams of suspected cocaine.

Also inside the vehicle were numerous items that had been stolen from the Rimbey break and enter. It is believed that all items taken from this break and enter were recovered, including  a truck and trailer, a gun safe containing 8 hunting rifles/shotguns, jewellery, passports, and food.

The search of the Breton property identified numerous stolen items, including the following:

• Vehicles
• Side by sides
• Snowmobiles
• Tools
• Flat deck trailers
• A hot tub

The approximate value of the recovered items at this scene is $120, 000.

The Parkland residence search warrant was also executed on the same day. As a result of this search warrant, the following was seized:

• Vehicles
• Holiday trailers
• A side by side
• Enclosed trailers
• Flat deck trailers
• A boat
• 2 firearms

The approximate value of the recovered items at this scene is $320, 000.

As a result of this investigation, Justin Handbury (38), a resident of Alder Flats, has been charged with 64 offences, some of which include:

• Break and Enter (x2)
• Possession of stolen property over $5000 (x15)
• Possession of stolen property under $5000 (x7)
• Possession of a restricted / prohibited firearm
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x2)
• Possess/Transfer/Sell and Identity Document (x5)

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Handbury was remanded into custody and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice in Drayton Valley on April 16.

Marlace Monds (37), a resident of Alder Flats, has been charged with multiple offences including:

• Possession of stolen property over $5000 (x14)
• Possession of stolen property under $5000 (x7)

Monds was released for court in Alberta Court of Justice on April 24 in Breton.

Jesse Jeffcott (41), a resident of Alder Flats, has been charged with the following:

• Break and enter and theft of firearm
• Theft of motor vehicle
• Theft of property over $5000 (x2)

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Jeffcott was remanded into custody and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice on April 19, 2024, in Ponoka.

The investigation continues. RCMP would like to recognize the support units who assisted in this successful investigation, including CAD CRU, Breton/Thorsby RCMP, Parkland RCMP, Drayton Valley RCMP, Critical Incident Program, Police Dog Services, Auto Theft Unit and RPAS.