Copper theft investigation leads to arrests across southern Alberta
RCMP charge three after months-long probe into wire thefts from oil, gas, and farm sites; damage exceeds $96,000.
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A months-long RCMP investigation into widespread copper-wire thefts across southern Alberta escalated into a police chase and resulted in three arrests with tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Mounties began investigating a series of thefts and property damage in May 2026 after copper wire was repeatedly stolen from oil and gas sites and farm operations in Lethbridge County, Taber, and Newell County.
On May 29, officers spotted suspects stealing irrigation equipment from a rural property. One vehicle became stuck in a potato field, where officers arrested a man carrying a large amount of copper wire. A second vehicle fled along rural highways and backroads before police disabled it with a tire-deflation device. The canine unit helped stop the vehicle, and a man and woman were arrested with more stolen wire.
Damage from the May 29 incident alone is expected to exceed $96,000. RCMP note that damage to irrigation pivots can reduce crop yields or cause crop failure entirely.
Three southern Alberta residents are facing charges: David Dyck, 27, from Lethbridge, is charged with multiple mischief, theft, and trafficking counts. Gerhard Martens, 34, from Raymond, faces theft-related offences plus fleeing police, dangerous driving, and resisting arrest. Kaylee Grisdale, 24, from Lethbridge, faces mischief and theft charges. All three were released on bail and were scheduled to appear in court this week; the case has been adjourned to July.
