Police in Fort McMurray responded to more than 350 calls of liquor thefts since September 2023, and to combat this trend, they partnered with local stakeholders to tackle what they call an “excessive increase in liquor thefts.”
Starting in December 2023, Wood Buffalo RCMP worked with SNDL Inc., affected businesses, and the local Crown Prosecutor.
Using specialized police investigative techniques, Wood Buffalo RCMP Criminal Intelligence and Crime Reduction Units identified and recovered about $3,000 in stolen property from three liquor retailers in Fort McMurray. They also seized about 427 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
RCMP arrested Anthony Johnson, 26, Theresa Antoine, 33, Blaine Whiteknife, 42, Dakota Merasty, 30, Selam Asefad, 36, and Liban Hersi, 30, all of Fort McMurray.
Johnson was charged with theft under $5,000. He was released from police custody after a Judicial Interim hearing and appears in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on Feb. 26.
Antoine and Whiteknife were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. They were released and appears in court Feb. 27.
Merasty was charged with theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He appears in court on March 6.
Asefad was charged with theft under $5,000. He was released and appears in court March 6.
Hersi was charged with theft under $5,000, two counts of failing to comply with a probation order, and four counts of failing to comply with a release order. He was released and appears in court Feb. 26.
Wood Buffalo RCMP say they continue to investigate reported liquor thefts and drug trafficking allegations.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime, contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788‐4040. 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.
contact@criminalsamongus.ca
