Two charged after rural break-ins around Regina

Two men have been charged in connection with recent break-ins at rural properties near Regina.

According to the RCMP, the first break-in occurred Dec. 31 at a house outside Pilot Butte. The Mounties said in a release that after two vehicles approached the residence, the vehicle’s occupants broke into the house and stole a firearm safe — which contained five guns — as well as an SUV that was parked outside.

Police said the SUV was found burned out in Regina later that day.

On Jan. 2, the RCMP got a call about a break-in at a commercial building in the RM of Edenwold. The Mounties’ release said a person approached the property in a stolen vehicle, which was identified as one of the vehicles involved in the incident in Pilot Butte.

“The individual stole a number of items, including a snowmobile, which they used to travel,” the RCMP release said. “The stolen truck was left behind, as were other items, including pieces of stolen identification and an illegally modified firearm.”

The next day, the White Butte RCMP was called about the stolen snowmobile, which had been seen travelling along Highway 46 east of Regina. Officers found the snowmobile, arrested the man driving it, and found nearby some of the items that been reported stolen from the commercial property.

The Mounties and Regina Police Service subsequently executed two search warrants at houses in Regina and found the gun safe that had been stolen in the Pilot Butte break-in along with guns, gun parts and other items that were believed to be stolen. A second man also was arrested.

A 31-year-old man from Regina was charged with a variety of offences, including one count each of break and enter with intent, break, enter and commit theft, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and theft of a motor vehicle.

A 28-year-old Regina man is facing four charges, including unsafe storage of a firearm, possessing ammunition while prohibited, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possessing identity documents of another person.

“We do not tolerate this type of property crime in our communities,” Staff Sgt. Corey Niedzielski, the commander of the White Butte RCMP, said in the release.

“When we received these reports of break-ins and thefts, White Butte RCMP, along with investigators from neighbouring RCMP detachments and Regina Police Service, quickly began piecing the evidence together, ultimately resulting in the charges laid against these individuals.

“Our work isn’t done. We’re continuing to investigate whether others are potentially involved and if there are connections to other break-ins reported in the area. We’ll also work to reunite some of these recovered items with their rightful owners.”

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call their local police service, the nearest RCMP detachment at 310-RCMP, or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.