Prince Albert family ‘traumatized’ by home invasion

By Nigel Maxwell, paNOW

Three people, ranging in age from 14 to 19 years old, are facing charges in connection to a home invasion in Prince Albert’s west hill area early Monday morning.

The home invasion happened shortly after 3:30 a.m. in the 500 block of 19th St. W. Justin Rivet, his wife Taylor and their three-year-old daughter, were at home sleeping in their bed when they were suddenly awoken by strangers in their bedroom.

“I heard some noises but I was still asleep and I just kind of thought it was my husband getting ready for work so I didn’t open my eyes right away,” Taylor said. “When I did [open my eyes] there were two kids in our bedroom on either side of our bed, I think going for our cell phones.”

Taylor said she screamed and the two intruders took off down the down the stairs. Justin gave chase but the intruders were fast and escaped down the street, stealing the couple’s vehicle in the process.

“When they were in our house, they weren’t even about stealing stuff they were just playing around like they went in our deep freeze to look for stuff to take, and took our leftover wedding alcohol,” Justin said.

Along with the couple’s vehicle, a number of electronics were stolen including Taylor’s laptop and the couple’s Playstation gaming system. Inside the vehicle was also Taylor’s wedding dress and a pendant containing the ashes of her parents. At 9:15 a.m. Monday morning police located the stolen vehicle, abandoned, still running on second Ave. NW. and Cambridge St. The pendant and the wedding dress were left still inside the vehicle.

‘It looked like it was all muddy and had some tears in it,” Justin said.

Around the same time police recovered the stolen vehicle, they also located and arrested the suspects walking on 13th St. W.  and Third Avenue West All three suspects are scheduled to appear at Prince Albert Provincial Court Tuesday. Frank Ballantyne, 19, was remanded in court and will appear tomorrow. The 14 and 15-year-old were released on conditions and will appear in court again on Aug. 29 and Sept. 26 respectively. Both cannot be named due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Justin said this was not the first time he was victimized. Almost a year to the date, someone stole his work truck from outside his house. The truck was later recovered.