On January 10, 2020, at about 6:00 a.m., Manning RCMP received a complaint of a theft at an oil field site located near Chinchaga Forestry Road northwest of town. This incident involved theft of copper, generators and resulted in damage to equipment. The value of the stolen items and damages are estimated at $12,500.  

With the assistance of employees of the site, a suspect vehicle was located by Manning RCMP in the area and three occupants were arrested. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the stolen property was recovered.

29-year-old Tyler Horne of Hinton, 42-year-old Lawrence Morrison of Fairview, and 45-year-old Amy Niiranen of Bluesky, Alta. have all been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of break in instruments.

Following a judicial hearing, Morrison was released on condition he would attend Peace River Provincial Court on February 3, 2020. Horne and Niiranen were released with the condition of attending Peace River Provincial Court on March 2, 2020.