Carstairs gun range broken into and manager shot at: Police arrest 2 Calgary men

Police arrested two men after the Silver Willow Farm Sporting Club was broken into and the manager shot at on Feb. 9.

At about 5:10 a.m. on Feb. 9, Didsbury RCMP were dispatched to break and enter in progress at the gun club, located in Mountain View County.

The caller, who is the property representative, was notified by an on-site security system that two suspects were at the business. He drove to the business and saw two suspects get into a Volkswagen hatchback car and attempt to flee. 

The VW got stuck and a male suspect exited the vehicle with a rifle, pointed it at the caller and ran towards the caller’s vehicle. He then shot at the caller, who was still in his vehicle, striking the vehicle. He wasn’t injured.

RCMP responded to the scene and set up containment. Help was requested from the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services and Olds and Airdrie RCMP.

Residents in the area were placed on a shelter in place.

Shortly after, the two suspects were taken into custody.

Kyle Nechiporenko, 37, a of Calgary, was charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent, failing to comply with a probation order, possession of a firearm without a licence, failing to comply with weapons prohibition order, using a disguise to commit an indictable offence, driving while prohibited.  

Soleil Wenas. 20, also of Calgary, was charged with possession of a firearm without holding a licence, and failing to comply with release order conditions.

Nechiporenko  and Wenas were jointly charged with break and enter with intent to steal a firearm, having a weapon dangerous to the public peace (bear spray), using a firearm while committing an indictable offence, using an imitation firearm while committing an indictable offence, theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000, and possession of break and enter instruments.

Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Nechiporenko was remanded in custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on Feb. 14, and Wenas was remanded into custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on Feb. 12.

Accused to linked to dozens more break-ins

Nechiporenko and Wenas, along with a woman, were linked to break, enter and thefts at numerous other businesses.

The businesses include Cottonwood Golf & Country Club in Foothills County, Sirocco Golf Course in Foothills County, Redwood Meadows Golf Course in Tsuut’ina, Priddis Greens Golf Course in Foothills County,

River Spirit Golf Course in Calgary, Winter Green Golf Course in Rocky View County, Water Valley Saloon in Water Valley, Serenity Golf Club in Rocky View County, Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis, and Livingstone Golf Course in Rocky View County.

They face numerous additional charges in those break-ins.

Various RCMP detachments in Southern Alberta District were investigating a spree of break and enters in January and February to golf courses and other businesses in several counties surrounding Calgary.

Cochrane Crime Reduction Unit took over the investigation. They identified a man and woman believed to be responsible and a suspect vehicle a VW Jetta.

On Feb. 9, Cochrane CRU, with assistance from SAD CRU and CPS TAC, officers executed a search warrant at a North West Calgary residence. A woman was arrested at the home and stolen property was seized including laptops motorcycle, firearms, ID’s and ID counterfeiting equipment, tools and bikes, Canadian currency, safes, and golf accessories.

The woman was charged with break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. She was released on an undertaking to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on March 12.

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