Shooting in Sunset Ridge
Cochrane RCMP received reports of a shooting that took place at a residence in the community of Sunset Ridge at 6:45 on Aug. 17, leading to a shelter-in-place being temporarily issued.
The suspect fled the scene in a black Jeep Wrangler that was later abandoned on Highway 22, an RCMP press release stated. No one was injured as a result of the shooting, and the RCMP believes it was a targeted event with no risk to the community.
The RCMP asks anyone with any information, dashcam, or other video footage related to the incident to please contact the Cochrane RCMP at 403-932-2211, or to contact your local police. For those who want to make anonymous tips, they can do so by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377, visiting www.P3Tips.com, or by using the P3 Tips app available on the Apple App or Google Play store.
Rural break and enters
A Calgarian was arrested last week after Cochrane RCMP responded to three reported break-and-enters in west Rocky View County.
According to the local detachment, Mounties responded to three in-progress break-and-enters in Springbank on Aug. 15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Break and Enters occurred in the areas of Villosa Ridge and Springbank Road.
"The suspects are believed to have driven onto properties and rang doorbells to determine if someone was home," RCMP stated. "If there was no answer, the suspects would then force entry into the residence."
Due to quick reporting by the home owner at Villosa Ridge who was alerted to the break in from his security system, RCMP stated the officers were able to locate and arrest one of the persons responsible. Calgary resident Dereck Wayne Mcinnis, 41, was arrested near the scene.
He has been charged with break and enter to a residence and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He was taken before a justice of the peace and released from custody with his next court date set for Sept. 19, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane.
The suspects were driving a white four-door Volkswagen sedan. Cochrane RCMP ask residents to check any camera footage and if they have captured this white Volkswagen on their property to please contact Cochrane RCMP.
Cochrane RCMP also wish to remind the public to report any suspicious activities to police immediately.
Extortion charges laid
Calgarian Andrea Petzold was arrested for extortion and other charges on Aug. 17 after a months-long RCMP investigation that Cochrane's detachment was involved in.
The 42-year-old's charges include extortion, uttering threats, possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and two counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon.
The investigation dates back to October 2022, when RCMP received a report of an individual attempting to extort money from the victim and threatening to release to the public a reportedly fake video.
After seven months, on May 17, RCMP and Calgary Police Service members executed a search warrant at a property in Calgary. As a result of the search, RCMP seized a prohibited hand gun stored with prohibited loaded magazines, ammunition, computers, cell phones, and computer tablets.
The investigation continued until Aug. 17, when Cochrane RCMP arrested Petzold.
"Petzold was taken before a justice of the peace and released from custody with her next court date set for Aug. 25, 2023 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary," Cochrane RCMP stated in their news release.
Serious collision on Hwy 22
Cochrane RCMP have laid charges in connection with a serious injury collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist that occurred on Aug. 13 on Highway 22 near Bragg Creek.
The detachment's news release indicated the driver of the motor vehicle, a 19-year-old resident of Calgary, remained on scene and was later arrested. The driver was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
As of writing, the cyclist remained in hospital with serious injuries.
"RCMP continue their investigation into the circumstances of this collision," the release stated, adding the name of the accused will not be released until information is sworn in the courts.
