Greetings,
I just thought that I would share this news release prepared by Cpl.
Zazulak from Spruce Grove with you as this career criminal certainly impacted
our policing jurisdiction. Unfortunately, the reality is he is likely
responsible for many more unsolved property crimes. As you likely know we can
only charge him when we have physical evidence, a witness or a confession.
Typically, the confessions are not easy to come by. In any event the reason we
caught this criminal in Edson is because of a citizen who was "dialed in",
meaning on the ball and aware of their surroundings.
One thing I have learned in my 22 years with the RCMP is that we cannot do
our jobs properly without the help of the local citizenry. In the words of
Sir Robert Peel, the creator of modern western policing, "the people are the
police and the police are the people". In 1829 he had the vision that Community
Policing was the most strategic way to get the job done. In 2013 this concept
is still valid with Rural Crime Watch and COP as catalysts for crime
prevention. I will endeavour to hold that principle in high regard during my
stewardship of the Evansburg Detachment.
I hope you can all appreciate this milestone success in rural policing.
Forbes is currently in custody pending Court.
Regards,
Jim Desautels, Sgt.
Non Commissioned Officer in Charge
Evansburg Detachment
During the past four months, police asked for assistance from the
public in locating 42 year old Kenneth Wayne FORBES of Onoway, a man wanted on
numerous warrants for extensive break and enters throughout the Province
of Alberta.
On September 13th, a concerned citizen in Edson made a report of a
suspicious individual, and FORBES was arrested. This would not have occurred
without the support of the community, and their partnership with police in
helping to keep our communities safe.
It is alleged that the majority of these break and enters occurred
during the daytime hours, to acreage/rural subdivision properties. Police
believe FORBES would knock on a residence door, and if someone answered, he
would purport to be lost and ask for directions.
One interesting modus operandi is that FORBES is alleged to have
removed pillowcases from bedrooms in each break and enter, in order to transport
smaller items such as jewelry.
As always, the public is asked to be wary of strangers in their
neighborhoods, and to obtain as much detail as possible when encountering
unknown persons and vehicles in unlikely situations.
FORBES remains in custody, and has been charged with a large number of
offences from various jurisdictions. Some of these include:
- From the Spruce Grove/Stony Plain area: 15 counts of break and enter, from various properties throughout Parkland and Lac Ste Anne Counties. His next court appearance in Stony Plain Provincial Court is October 30th.
- From the Edson area: four counts of break and enter, possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance- Schedule I. His next court appearance in Edson Provincial Court is November 5th.
- From the Vegreville area: three counts of break and enter, possession of stolen property, forgery, and possession of a forged document His next court appearance in Vegreville Provincial Court is October 21st.
- From the Evansburg area: break and enter and theft under $5000. His next appearance is in Stony Provincial Court on October 30th.
- From the Ponoka area: break and enter, and theft under $5000. His next appearance in Ponoka Provincial Court is November 1st.
In total, this encompasses 24 counts of break and enter, 2 counts of
possession of stolen property, two counts of theft under $5000, 1 count of
possession of a controlled substance, one count of forgery, and one count of
possession of a forged document.
Mr. FORBES has an extensive criminal record for property offences,
including break and enters, and frauds.
