St. Albert RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) Focus on Shoplifting Prevention with Retail Crime Blitz

St. Albert Alta. - Between Aug 18 to Sept 5, 2026, the St. Albert RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) participated in a retail crime blitz, in partnership with local businesses and community partners within the Municipality of St. Albert. This most recent operation resulted in the arrest of 12 adults, 6 youths, and the execution of eleven outstanding warrants. The following persons recently had charges approved through the Pre Charge Approval process and provided with court dates upon their release from custody. A judicial interim release hearing was held for two of the accused.  Some highlights of the operation include:

• Judy Masley (62) resident of Spruce Grove, and Istvanne Penti (57) a resident of Edmonton was arrested on Aug 19 at a local box store after concealing a total of $120 of merchandise in reuseable bags and exiting the store. Both were charged with theft under $5000 . Both were released from custody and are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026 (Masley) and Oct 19, 2026 (Penti).
• Jonathan Smith (19) a resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after concealing $162 of merchandise and exiting the store. Smith was charged with theft under $5000. Smith was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026.   
• Jannine Peterson (59) a resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after pushing a shopping cart full of merchandise worth $765 out of the store with out paying. Petersen was charged with theft Under $5000 and multiple outstanding warrants were executed. Peterson was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026.
• Andrew Bunning (35) a resident of Parkland County was arrested on Sept 4 at local grocery store after walking out the emergency exit with over $1000 of merchandise. A foot pursuit ensued before being apprehended.  Bunning was charged with theft under $5000,  fail to comply with release order, resisting arrest. Bunning was on 24h house arrest at the time of these offences.  A judicial interim release hearing was held, and Bunning has been remanded into custody.
• Adam Laflamme (44) a resident of St. Albert was arrested on Sept 4 at a local grocery store after stealing merchandise. Laflamme had 2 outstanding warrants and was charged with one count of theft under $5000. Laflamme was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026 .
• Kylah Lefebvre (42) a resident of St Albert and Casey Parkinson (45) a resident of St. Albert was arrested on Sept 4 at a local box store after concealing merchandise in reusable bags. $91 worth of merchandise recovered. Each were charged with theft under $5000. Both were released from custody and are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026.
• Darryl Giffen (51) a resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 5 at a local box store after concealing $87 of merchandise in a backpack. Giffen was charged with theft under $5000. Giffen was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026
• John Bear (46) a resident of Edmonton and Valene Minde (41) a resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after loading up a shopping cart with $1840 worth of Lego and concealing it with a blanket over top and then exiting the store. Bear was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants. Both were charged with theft under $5000. A judicial interim release hearing was held for Bear, and he was remanded into custody. Minde was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026 .

“Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility. Through continued collaboration with our community partners, the St Albert RCMP is taking proactive action to prevent crime, hold offenders accountable, and help build a safer community for everyone” says acting Staff Seargent Terrence Willard / Ops Support NCO.

Anyone with information regarding crime in their community are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP at (780) 458-7700 or 310-RCMP (7267)

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