Caroline Supplies Break-ins: A Chronological Review of Criminal Activity

The rural community of Caroline, Alberta has experienced several significant break-ins at Caroline Supplies store, with multiple arrests made in connection to these crimes. This report examines the pattern of criminal activity targeting this business, the law enforcement response, and related criminal incidents in the area between 2017 and 2018. While the store faced repeated targeting with similar methods employed, police investigations successfully led to multiple arrests and recovery of stolen property.

October 2017 Break-in at Caroline Supplies

On October 27, 2017, Caroline Supplies experienced a serious break-in when two suspects—one male and one female—drove a stolen truck directly into the entry way of the business. The brazen nighttime robbery targeted specific high-value merchandise with surveillance footage capturing the crime in progress^[1].

The perpetrators focused primarily on stealing firearms and knives from the establishment. Rocky Mountain House RCMP immediately launched an investigation, releasing surveillance images to the public in an effort to identify the suspects. The stolen truck used in the commission of the crime was later recovered by authorities, though initially the suspects remained at large^[1].

Law enforcement officials requested public assistance in identifying the culprits, distributing the surveillance photos through various channels. The RCMP provided multiple contact options for citizens with information, including their direct line, online reporting through tipsubmit.com, and SMS options, allowing for anonymous reporting through Crime Stoppers^[1].

January 2018 Break-in and Subsequent Arrests

Just three months after the first incident, Caroline Supplies was victimized again in the early morning hours of January 28, 2018. This second break-in followed a similar pattern, with perpetrators prying open the front door to gain entry to the business^[2].

Details of the Break-in

The criminals stole numerous items from the store, with particular focus on two firearms. Surveillance cameras captured an older-model brown Ford F-150 pickup truck with visible rust on the box as the suspect vehicle^[2]. The truck and its occupants quickly became the focus of the investigation, with RCMP releasing descriptions to the public and requesting assistance in locating both the vehicle and identifying potential suspects^[3].

First Arrest

The public responded quickly to the RCMP's call for information. Based on numerous tips received from community members, police identified and issued an arrest warrant for Joel Baptiste, a 42-year-old man from the Clearwater County area^[4]. Baptiste was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses including break and enter, theft, possession of break-in tools, theft under $5000, theft of firearms, and breach of a recognizance^[4].

Following his arrest, Baptiste was remanded into custody with a scheduled court appearance on February 6, 2018, in Red Deer Provincial Court^[4]. The RCMP publicly acknowledged the community's assistance, which had proven instrumental in identifying the suspect^[4].

Additional Suspects and Further Arrests

While Baptiste was in custody, the investigation continued as police sought to identify three additional suspects whose faces had been covered in the surveillance footage^[3]. The stolen brown F-150 truck was successfully located and seized by RCMP^[5].

On February 7, 2018, Rocky Mountain House RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in O'Chiese First Nations, leading to the arrest of two more suspects: 41-year-old Trena Yellowface and 43-year-old Gordon Rowsell^[6][5]. During the execution of this warrant, police recovered one stolen rifle along with various ammunition and other items^[6].

Yellowface faced numerous charges including:

• Break and enter
• Disguise with intent
• Theft over $5000
• Breaking and entering to steal a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
• Tampering with serial number
• Possession of property obtained by crime^[6]

Rowsell was charged with:

• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
• Tampering with serial number
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Possession of firearm contrary to prohibition order^[6]

Both individuals were remanded in custody and scheduled to appear in Provincial Court of Alberta in Red Deer on February 9, 2018, via CCTV^[6].

Legal Proceedings

The legal process for the suspects proceeded through the Alberta court system throughout 2018. By March 9, 2018, Joel Baptiste had a trial date set for September 18 that year. Court records confirmed his charges of break and enter, theft, possession of break-in tools, theft under $5000, theft of firearms, and breach of a recognizance^[7].

Meanwhile, Trena Yellowface was scheduled to appear in court on March 14, 2018, while Gordon Rowsell was set for a preliminary inquiry on September 10, 2018^[7]. These scheduled court appearances demonstrate the judicial system's response to the break-ins, with each suspect facing distinct legal processes based on their alleged involvement and criminal history.

Other Criminal Activity in Caroline

The break-ins at Caroline Supplies were not isolated incidents, as the community experienced additional criminal activity during this period. These incidents highlight broader safety concerns in the area and demonstrate a pattern of property crimes that extended beyond the supply store.

April 2018 Attempted Armed Robbery

On April 10, 2018, at approximately 6:00 a.m., an attempted armed robbery occurred at the Caroline GTI petroleum station. A male suspect entered the establishment with a knife and demanded cash from the clerk. However, when an employee yelled at the would-be robber, he fled on foot without obtaining any money^[8][9].

Three accomplices attempted to escape in a vehicle that was later determined to have been stolen from Blackfalds. RCMP quickly located the erratically driven vehicle and initiated a pursuit^[8]. The chase ended near Sundre with the arrest of all suspects without incident. Meanwhile, the attempted robber was found walking through Caroline still carrying the knife and was also apprehended^[9].

Four individuals were charged in connection with this failed robbery:

• Daniel Potter (29), facing nine criminal charges including robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failure to comply with conditions
• Kevin Gallagher (33), charged with eight offenses including possession of stolen property, impaired driving, and operation of a vehicle while being pursued by police
• Kristina Fagala (44), charged with possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a controlled substance
• Darren Ray (35), charged with possession of a controlled substance^[9]

October 2018 Search Warrant and Property Recovery

On October 25, 2018, Rocky Mountain House RCMP executed another search warrant at a residence in Caroline. This operation resulted in the recovery of multiple stolen items, including a vehicle from Calgary, an Alberta license plate, stolen batteries from an oilfield company, a firearm, and copper wire^[10].

Three Caroline residents were arrested at the location:

• Lindsay Battye (34)
• Kyle Rowlinson (33)
• Jason Burns (26)

All three faced multiple charges, including possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000), possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000), unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, careless storage of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm^[10]. Rowlinson faced additional charges for possession of a firearm contrary to an order and breach of recognizance^[10].

RCMP Crime Reduction Strategy

The series of successful arrests and recovery of stolen property demonstrates the effectiveness of the RCMP's targeted approach to property crime in the region. As Corporal Josh Matthies of the Rocky Mountain House RCMP noted, "This search is an example of a larger crime reduction strategy that focuses on conducting targeted, intelligence-led investigations... Property crimes are a priority for the Alberta RCMP, and there is a strategic focus on repeat crime offenders"^[10].

This statement reflects the broader law enforcement strategy being employed throughout the region, with an emphasis on identifying and apprehending repeat offenders who may be responsible for multiple property crimes. The recovery of stolen firearms in particular represented a significant public safety achievement.

Sergeant Jay Penner highlighted the importance of removing stolen firearms from the community, stating: "It's always a good thing to remove stolen firearms from the community. We're grateful to the public for bringing any suspicious activities to our attention, assisting us in working towards having safer communities"^[6].

Conclusion

The repeated targeting of Caroline Supplies in 2017 and 2018 highlights the vulnerability of rural businesses to property crime, particularly those carrying high-value items like firearms. However, the successful apprehension of suspects in these cases demonstrates the effectiveness of community cooperation with law enforcement and the RCMP's strategic focus on property crimes and repeat offenders.

The pattern of criminal activity in Caroline during this period—including break-ins, theft of firearms, and attempted armed robbery—suggests a concerning level of organized criminal behavior in the region. Nevertheless, the consistent law enforcement response, including the execution of search warrants, vehicle pursuits, and arrests, has likely contributed to the disruption of these criminal activities.

The successful recovery of stolen items, particularly firearms, represents a significant public safety achievement for the community. The continued vigilance of both law enforcement and community members remains essential for maintaining security in the Caroline area and preventing similar incidents in the future.

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• https://centralalbertaonline.com/articles/guns-knives-stolen-from-store-in-caroline-police-investigating   
• https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/firearms-stolen-in-caroline-break-and-enter/  
• https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/man-charged-in-caroline-theft-rocky-mountain-house-rcmp-looking-for-three-more-people  
• https://rdnewsnow.com/2018/01/30/rcmp-arrest-suspect-in-connection-to-be-in-caroline/    
• https://rdnewsnow.com/2018/02/08/rcmp-arrest-two-more-in-caroline-supplies-break-in/  
• https://centralalbertaonline.com/articles/rcmp-investigate-2nd-break-in-at-caroline-supplies-in-3-months      
• https://rdnewsnow.com/2018/03/09/caroline-supplies-break-in-suspect-sets-trial-date/  
• https://rdnewsnow.com/2018/04/14/four-charged-in-attempted-armed-robbery-and-police-chase-in-caroline/  
• https://calgary.citynews.ca/2018/04/14/charges-laid-failed-robbery-west-red-deer/   
• https://centralalbertaonline.com/articles/three-caroline-residents-charged-with-multiple-stolen-property-offences