Residents provide leads after nighttime robbery

PHOTO. Surveillance footage of a white pickup truck pulling into the property of Audio Dezigns the night of Jan. 5, 2020. It's alleged two occupants in the security camera video broke into the property stealing around $10,000 worth of tools and equipment from the company van. Supplied by Audio Dezigns/Facebook.

Social media and fellow residents came to the aid of a local business owner.

On Jan. 5, 2020, at 1:00 a.m. security cameras overlooking the Audio Dezigns store on Centennial Ave. captured footage of an alleged robbery in progress.

Owner Shawn Tokarz said the footage shows two male suspects exiting a white pickup truck after scouting the area.

“They started by breaking into a car that we’re rebuilding, then they went to a trailer, and then they went to our van. They broke into the back door, pulled the truck up next to it, and it took them about 20 minutes to unload it.”

Tokarz said the suspects allegedly used a crowbar to break into the trailer and company van.

He estimated the value of the stolen tools and equipment is around $10,000.

However, Tokarz soon received leads from customers and witnesses through social media who spotted the truck.

“As we got the leads coming in, I contacted [Wood Buffalo RCMP] cause I was getting calls he was heading on Hwy. 63, on Hwy. 881, and eventually someone found [the truck] at a house.”

He said the information led Wood Buffalo RCMP to a residence in the area of Anzac a day later.

The investigation is ongoing, but police confirmed they made arrests in connection with the incident.

Tokarz said it’s uncertain when police will return his stolen inventory.

“Getting a search warrant is extremely complicated. I think they posted an RCMP officer at the entrance of the property to prevent anyone from coming and going on that property until they can get a search warrant.”

MyMcMurray contacted Wood Buffalo RCMP to confirm these reports.