On the 13th of December, 2016 at about 9:15 PM Olds RCMP responded to a break, enter to a residence and theft of a car on RR 280 east of Olds.

Responding officers located a stolen vehicle at the property that had been stolen out of Didsbury earlier that day.

Didsbury RCMP attended to assist given the crimes appeared to be related.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had, after crashing the vehicle stolen from Didsbury, walked to a nearby residence and broke into it while the home owner was inside.

The suspect stole several items including car keys from the within the residence then stole the homeowners car which was driven into a ditch a short distance away.

The suspect then went to another residence and stole a side by side and once again fled prior to police arrival.

Police followed tracks left by the side by side throughout the surrounding rural area.

The tracks eventually lead east on Highway 27 to a residence in Torrington.

As police approached the resident the suspect returned to the side by side and started it up in what appeared to be an attempt to depart.

Police were able to apprehend the suspect without incident.

All of the property that had been stolen by the suspect has been recovered and returned to the rightful owners.

Charges have been laid against David MATSCHKE, 34, of the Olds and Didsbury area for the thefts as well as the break and enter to a residence.

Mr. Matschke will have a first appearance in Provincial Court in Didsbury on December 19, 2016.

If you have any information regarding this occurrence you can contact the Olds RCMP at (403) 556-3324.

If you want to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).