On April 29, 2025, at approximately 9:28 p.m., Vermilion and Kitscoty RCMP responded to a complaint of a break and enter to an oil field related site in a rural area near Highway 640 and Range Road 61. Members arrived in the area and observed two suspects running away from the scene on foot. Members utilized the K Division Real Time Operation Centre (RTOC), which supported the incident with additional resources including Alberta RCMP Police Dog Services and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS, also known as drones).
As a result of the investigation, Christopher Swindlehurst, a 47-year-old resident of Whitecourt, Alta., was arrested and charged with:
- Break and enter;
- Mischief under $5000;
- Resisting arrest;
- Possession of break-in tools; and
- Theft under $5000.
Swindlehurst was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was released from custody. He is set to appear in court at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lloydminster on May 27, 2025.
The second suspect has not been located, however, he has been identified and a warrant for his arrest will be forthcoming.
“While we do cover vast areas, this is a good example of multiple Detachments and units working together towards a common goal resulting in a successful arrest” says Sergeant Corey Buckingham, Vermilion RCMP Detachment Commander. “We continue to leverage technology, such as drones, to assist in investigations such as this one.”
Cpl Mathew Howell
Alberta RCMP
