Oyen RCMP investigate multiple break and enters

Posted on 24 November 2022 by Ryan Dahlman

On Oct. 27, Oyen RCMP responded to a rash of break and enters that occurred throughout the Municipal District of Acadia. Multiple business’s and residences were entered and property was stolen, including multiple vehicles, ATV’s and a trailer. One of the homes was occupied by the residents at the time of the break in.

During the course of the investigation, an abandoned vehicle was located and seized by police, which contained eight stolen firearms and other property, including a 55 gallon drum of diesel fuel.

On Oct. 28, 2022, Oyen RCMP executed a traffic stop on Highway 41, after receiving reports of a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the highway. As a result of this traffic stop, two suspects were arrested.

Ricky Vidnes (26), a resident of Medicine Hat, has been charged with 18 offences, some of which include:

Break and Enter (x4)
Theft of a motor vehicle (x5)
Theft over $5000 (x4)
Possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence

Vidnes was held in custody with a court date of Nov. 25, 2022, in Drumheller Provincial Court.

Jazmine VanTassel (22), a resident of Medicine Hat, has been charged with 18 offences, some of which include:

Break and Enter (x4)
Theft of a motor vehicle (x5)
Theft over $5000 (x4)

Theft under $5000

VanTassell was released on conditions for a court date of Nov. 23, 2022, in Hanna Provincial Court.

A third person was identified through witnesses and video footage. Jeffrey Lawless (37), a resident of Medicine Hat, was charged with 8 offences, some of which include:

Break and Enter
Theft of a motor vehicle (x3)

Theft over $5000

Lawless is currently at large on outstanding warrants.

Oyen RCMP have recovered the following stolen items in relation to this investigation:

3 Vehicles
3 Trailers
4 ATV’s
8 Firearms
Stolen Fuel
Tools