Another suspect charged in jewelry store heist
By JEREMY APPEL on February 20, 2020.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com
Police have charged one more suspect in relation to a jewelry store heist last week, in addition to releasing the names of the two initial alleged culprits.
On Tuesday, Shane Yanke, 43, was charged with break-and-enter to a business and theft over $5,000, wearing a disguise to commit an indictable offence, possessing stolen property over $5,000 for the purposes of trafficking, trafficking in stolen property under $5,000 and possessing stolen property over $5,000.
Yanke is scheduled to appear in court today.
“Dealing with enough interviews, enough people who know people in town, eventually in cases like this where somebody’s trying to sell it … they’re talking about it and information like that gets out in the community,” explained Medicine Hat Police Service Staff Sgt. Chad Holt. “Next thing you know, we’re aware and use it to facilitate an arrest.”
At 3:24 a.m. on Feb. 10, Yanke allegedly broke into Gold Pro Jewellers on 13th Avenue SE by smashing a window, stealing $39,000 worth of rings and earrings before fleeing the scene.
On Valentine’s Day, charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000 were laid against Kris Hansen, 37, and Jessica Ott, 23.
Hansen’s next court appearance is slated for Feb. 27, while Ott’s is March 25.
Holt said Hansen and Ott are accused of possessing items they knew to be stolen, which Yanke allegedly sold to them.
“The same it would be if you’re dealing drugs – you’re dealing in stolen property,” Holt said.
The MHPS Major Crimes Section is continuing its investigation, as only an estimated $8,000 to $10,000 worth of the stolen items have been recovered.
“It moves quickly in the hands of certain people,” said Holt.
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