Grande Prairie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) have seized weapons and laid charges following an investigation into several break and enter complaints. 

During December 2020 and January 2021, Grande Prairie RCMP and Beaverlodge RCMP detachments received over a dozen reports of break and enters. A number of them involved ATM's being tampered with or stolen. 

Grande Prairie RCMP CRU investigated with assistance from Grande Prairie RCMP General Duty officers, Beaverlodge RCMP officers, Grande Prairie RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and Grande Prairie RCMP Forensic Identification Services (FIS). 

After the investigation, on Feb. 5, Grande Prairie RCMP CRU along with Grande Prairie RCMP PDS and Grand Prairie RCMP General Duty officers, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Pinnacle area of Grande Prairie.  

As a result, the following items were seized by police: 

  • A loaded shotgun 
  • Shotgun ammunition 
  • Brass Knuckles 
  • A spring-loaded knife 
  • Fraudulent PAL’s and identification cards 
  • 10 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine 
  • Multiple pieces of clothing used in the break and enters 
  • Stolen property from previous break and enters 

Kevin Stolth, 40, of Grande Prairie has been charged with the following: 

  • Five counts of break and enter into a business 
  • Two counts of disguise with intent  
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm 
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition 
  • Careless use of a firearm 
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon 
  • Two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose  
  • Seven counts of possession of break in instruments  
  • Four counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000  
  • Possession of a forged document 
  • Possession of a controlled substance (crystal methamphetamine) 
  • Two counts of fail to comply with conditions  

Michael Hillenga, 33, of Grande Prairie has been charged with the following: 

  • Three counts of break and enter into a business 
  • Two counts of disguise with intent  
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm 
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition 
  • Careless use of a firearm 
  • Carry Concealed weapon 
  • Two counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon  
  • Three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose 
  • Four counts of possession of break in instruments  
  • Four counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000  
  • Two counts of fail to comply with conditions 
  • Possession of a forged document 
  • Possession of a controlled substance (crystal methamphetamine) 

Following a judicial hearing, Hillenga was released from custody on a release order to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on Feb. 17. Stolth has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on Feb. 10. 

The RCMP are continuing their investigation into several other break and enters. If you have information, please contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780-830-5701 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. 

Information provided by the Alberta RCMP.