BC NEWS, DAWSON CREEK

Monday, March 4, 2024

Two Dawson Creek residents have been charged following two Break and Enters at a oil and gas site near One Island Lake in the South Peace…

Police say on Sunday morning (March 3) at 10 AM, officers from Dawson Creek received a report of a B&E in progress at the rural oil and gas site, approximately 60 km southeast of Dawson Creek.

Officers immediately attended and upon arrival to the area, located two men who fled to the nearby woods. Officers followed the footprints in the deep snow and located one male hiding in a nearby shed. Police couldn’t immediately find the other suspect, therefore, a Police Service Dog was called in to assist in locating that man. Police Service Dog ‘Hamer’ successfully located the second suspect and was arrested.

Upon further investigation, both suspects arrived at the oil and gas site in a stolen vehicle and caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of the well site itself. Both men were also observed the previous day, March 2, 2024, in the same area.

Since charges have been approved, police released the names of both suspects involved in these incidents.

James Shearer, 36, was charged with:

• break and enter
• possession of stolen property
• mischief over $5000
• breach of a probation order
• resist a Peace Officer

Wayne Conley, 45, was charged with:

• break and enter
• mischief over $5000
• possession of stolen property and resisting a Peace Officer

Both Shearer and Conley have several outstanding warrants in Alberta for similar offences.

The Dawson Creek RCMP would like to thank the diligent operators who alerted police to the illegal activity as well as police dog services and police canine, Hamer. If you observe any suspicious or illegal activity please contact the Dawson Creek RCMP at (250) 784 3700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.