Calgary police have charged two individuals after a search of an encampment uncovered stolen goods and a prohibited firearm.
On Oct. 5, members of the Calgary Police Service’s Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) attended an encampment in the 5000 block of 24 Street S.E. There were multiple tents and structures set up in a fielded area.
Upon arrival, officers discovered stolen items, including bicycles, tools and a gas generator.
CERT officers returned to the encampment the following day and located additional stolen items from residential break and enters earlier this year. Police also located a loaded Winchester SXP 12-gauge shotgun.
Approximately $40,000 worth of stolen property was seized from the encampment, of which an estimated $15,000 was returned to break-and-enter victims.
One returned item was a high-value guitar. Officers received a hand-written note from the child of the victim expressing gratitude for returning the item.
Micheal William Tracey, 47, and Shanelle Alisha Castelani, 36, are facing 27 charges including four counts of possession of stolen property, eight counts of criminal breaches, 15 counts of firearm-related offences and nine executed criminal warrants.
“Ensuring public safety by dismantling encampments is crucial, but it must be done with compassion and commitment to providing support for individuals facing homelessness,” said CERT Sergeant Kristian Thorpe in a news release.
“We appreciate the support of all our city partners who provide assistance to individuals who are in need by fostering relationships and connecting individuals to a wide range of social supports and resources, whenever they are ready to accept help.”
CERT is a proactive policing team, whose goal is to ensure public spaces are safe by engaging with the community and taking actions to reduce crime and social disorder through focused, collaborative enforcement and compassionate support services.