On Thursday Feb. 25, the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU) along with Innisfail and Olds RCMP, executed three search warrants after a three-day investigation into multiple reported break and enters. The incidents had occurred in the Olds, Bowden and Innisfail areas in January and February of this year.

Search warrants were executed at two properties, one on 56 Street and one on 54 Avenue in Innisfail. The third search was conducted at a property in the south area of Penhold.

Truck loads of stolen items were recovered including tools, credit cards, personal documents, Indigenous items, and framed prints.

Other recovered items include Bibles, as well as other items which were stolen from St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Innisfail. World War II items that were stolen from the Bowden Legion. Hundreds of items with price tags still attached had been stolen from a thrift store in Bowden and vintage store in Olds. Historical items from the Bowden Pioneer Museum, and one assault style rifle with the serial number partially filed off, along with ammunition.  

Melanie Prohl (30) of Innisfail has been charged with:

  • Break and enter
  • Possession of stolen property (x4)
  • Possession of break-in instrument one count of possession of break in instrument, One count unauthorized possession of a firearm, one count possession of prohibited fi
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm
  • Tampering with a serial number on a firearm
  •  Failing to comply with conditions (x2).  

After a Judicial hearing, Prohl was released to appear to in Red Deer Provincial Court on Mar. 5, 2021.

A 32-year-old male also of Innisfail was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of break in instrument and possession of methamphetamine.  The male was released from custody and will be appearing on Apr. 6, 2021 in Red Deer Provincial Court. 

A third adult male was also arrested on three outstanding unrelated warrants during the investigation.

The investigation is on-going while police continue to go through the recovered items. The total value of the property recovered is still being determined do to the volume of property recovered and the historical value of many of the items. 

Sergeant Gary Maclaren of the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction team would like to thank the public who utilized Crime Stoppers which greatly assisted in identifying the suspects involved.

If you suspect criminal activity occurring in your community, please contact your RCMP Detachment or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.