More charges have been laid and one more person has been arrested in connection to a rash of ATM thefts in the Northwest throughout this summer.
Already, three individuals - two adults and a youth - have been charged by the RCMP Battleford Provincial GIS section in connection to break and enter incidents in Leoville and Mervin, where ATM machines were targeted and a number of other items were stolen. The RCMP say they have now laid more charges against those individuals and also against a fourth person in the case.
The fourth individual facing charges is Bonnie Mooney, 53, of North Battleford. Mooney was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm. Mooney has been released from custody and is scheduled to return to court Sept. 13 in North Battleford.
The three others were arrested earlier in August and face numerous charges, including several new counts. They are:
Garvin Martin, 44, of North Battleford, now faces 21 charges including break, enter and theft, both over and under $5,000, possession of stolen property and break in instruments, unlawful possession of a firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm.
Gabriel Poundmaker, 19, of North Battleford now faces 24 charges including break, enter and theft over and under $5,000, flight from a police officer, possession of break in instruments, possession of stolen property and possession of proceeds of crime.
Finally, a 15-year old male from North Battleford is been charged with break and enter and theft over $5,000, flight from a police officer, resisting arrest, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of break in instruments and possession of stolen property.
Both Martin and Poundmaker remain in custody. Martin was scheduled to be back in court Tuesday, Aug. 31, and Poundmaker is due back Sept. 16. The 15-year-old was released during his last court appearance, and he is scheduled to be back in North Battleford Provincial Court Sept. 16.
According to the RCMP, the culprits are alleged to have inflicted damage to several businesses during their efforts to remove ATMs. Among the businesses targeted was a Leoville video store which contained an ATM machine, as well as the Mervin Co-op. The businesses also suffered considerable loss of cigarettes and other products, and some of the businesses were victimized on more than one occasion, sometimes within days. The suspects have also been linked to property crimes in Mervin, Radisson and the city of North Battleford.
Police say damage and losses are estimated in the tens of thousands. Police searches conducted in both North Battleford and Yorkton have led to the recovery of some of the money and stolen property.
The RCMP say the investigation was brought to a conclusion through combined efforts of Shellbrook, Spiritwood, Big River, Blaine Lake, Meadow Lake, Turtleford and Maidstone RCMP detachments in conjunction with North Battleford and Yorkton provincial General Investigation Sections. Forensic Investigation Sections in North Battleford and Prince Albert as well as Police Dog Services were involved as well.
