News | DrumhellerMail
05192025Mon
Last updateFri, 16 May 2025 5pm

Rockyford raid result in arrests

20250417 024555

On April 16 2025, after receiving an initial report of suspicious activity, the Central and Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Units (SAD CRU), with assistance from the Emergency Response Team and Strathmore RCMP, executed a Search Warrant for stolen property in Rockyford.

As a result of the search RCMP recovered:

5 stolen ATVs;
3 stolen firearms;
2 stolen trailers;
A stolen car;
Various other stolen items.

The stolen items were linked to thefts from Caroline, Airdrie, Drumheller, Vulcan, Strathmore, and Calgary areas.

“These investigations spearheaded by the Southern and Central Alberta Crime Reduction Units with assistance from RCMP detachments across Southern Alberta showcases the Alberta RCMP’s ability to work collaboratively in interdicting crime networks,” says Constable Adam Heather of SAD CRU, “two of the stolen firearms recovered in Aldersyde are linked to the same break and enter as two of the stolen firearm recovered in the Rockyford search, this demonstrates how different crime groups are interconnected.”

As a result of the investigation RCMP have charged Kevin De Laurier (50) with:

Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);

Possession of property obtained by crime (x11);
Break and Enter;
Failing to comply with a release order (x5).

De Laurier was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for May 22, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie.

RCMP have charged Nicole Lewis (42) with:

Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);

Possession of property obtained by crime (x5).

Lewis was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released with her next court date set for May 20, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.

On April 19, 2025 Brooks RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle. During this investigation Alberta RCMP Detachments in Brooks, Redcliff, Drumheller, Strathmore, Three Hills, Bassano, Taber-Vauxhall all assisted in locating two stolen vehicles and arresting a suspect. SAD CRU followed up on this investigation and on April 21, 2025, SAD CRU with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team, High River RCMP and Okotoks RCMP executed a Search Warrant in Aldersyde.

As a result of the search, RCMP additionally recovered:

Stolen trailers (x3);
Stolen Trucks (x3);
Stolen motor bikes (x3);
A stolen ATV;
Stolen firearm (x3);
Forged documents;
61 other firearms.

After a brief pursuit RCMP arrested and charged Foothills County resident Clayton Whaling (44) with;

Possession of property obtained by crime (x8);
Possession of a stolen firearm;
Flight from police;
Mischief;
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
Failure to comply with a release order (x3);
Possession of break in tools;
Possession of a prohibited weapon.

Whaling was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody for court on May 30, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

RCMP have charged Foothills County residents Allan Eroshinsky (78) and Chad Eroshinsky with:

Possession of property obtained by crime (x5);
(Allan)Careless storage of a firearm (x2) - (Chad) Careless storage of a firearm (x1);
Possession of a prohibited weapon.

Allan Eroshinsky and Chad Eroshinsky were taken before a Justice of the Peace and released with their next court date set for May 30, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

From the original Brooks investigation, RCMP have charged William Holub (43) with:

Flight from police
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2)
Break and Enter
Possession of break in instruments

Holub was taken before a Justice of the peace and released for future court dates at the Alberta Court of Justice in Brooks.

 


Mr. Cooper goes to Washington

Nathan Cooper Alberta Speaker Washington DC Representative Daveberta

Speaker for the Alberta legislature and MLA for Old-Didsbury-Three Hills, Nathan Cooper, is heading to Washington in a new position to help build and maintain relationships with Canada's largest trading partner.
On Wednesday, May 7, Speaker Cooper announced to the assembly that he would be stepping down as speaker and MLA.
“I believe we are in a critical time for our country in respect to how we interact with the world and with the United States of America. How we do that interaction, I believe is just as important as what we do to interact," he said to those sitting in the Legislature. “Recently, the Premier asked if I would serve as the senior representative to the United States of America based in Washington DC, and I have accepted that offer.”
Cooper has served as MLA for Olds-Didisbury -Three Hills for 10 years. Prior to this, he was a Carstairs Town councillor and served as chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Wildrose caucus.
He was elected by his fellow MLA as the 14th Speaker of the Alberta Legislature in 2019, and was the longest-serving Speaker in Canada.
“Alberta has seen a lot of success in building its relationship with U.S. decision makers, and much of that success is thanks to the hard work of James Rajotte as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the U.S. In this evolving landscape, Alberta must maintain and build on our ties with U.S. officials, and Nathan Cooper is the right choice to fill this important role,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Nathan as we advocate for Albertans and for our province’s interests in Washington and across the U.S.”
Support for Cooper in his new role comes from across the floor.
“Team Canada needs a strong Alberta in Washington, and Alberta needs strong representation for our trading interests. There might be some tough days ahead for the relationship between Canada and the United States, but I know Nathan Cooper will work hard for Albertans and a strong Canada,” said Shannon Phillips, former NDP Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
He officially stepped down as Speaker on Monday, May 12, allowing the legislature to make arrangements to elect a new speaker.
He is honoured to take on the new position.
“I’m honoured to be entrusted by Premier Danielle Smith with this critical assignment at such a pivotal time. Now more than ever, I see this as a vital opportunity to strengthen and advance Alberta’s long-standing relationship with the United States, ensuring stability and collaboration amid global uncertainty,” he said.

Construction on 6 Avenue connection road begins June 2025

Screen Shot 2025 02 20 at 2.04.07 PM

Construction on the 6 Avenue connection road, which will create a new access point from Highway 56/South Dinosaur Trail to Downtown Drumheller via the 6 Avenue Southeast and 2 Street East intersection near Freson Bros., will begin in June 2025.
The project was awarded to East Butte Contracting and council had previously approved the reallocation of budget surplus from the 2025 Street Improvement Program (SIP) towards the previously approved $1.68 million project.
“This road has been discussed many times over the years,” Drumheller Councillor Crystal Sereda said in a press release. “We are very excited to see this finally come to fruition and continue to work toward the long-term vision of a more accessible and connected downtown.”
The connector road was included within the Town’s Downtown Area Revitalization Plan (DARP), which was first established in 2021. This roadway will also tie in with the ongoing development of the Rails to Trails pathway network.
This includes preparing “future-ready infrastructure” such as water and sanitary sewer lines, and landscaping enhancements.
The existing recycling station on Railway Avenue East was relocated to accommodate construction. As of Friday, May 9, recycling bins were moved to 1 Street East and 7 Avenue Southeast, at the former Public Works yard across from the Bottle Depot, ahead of the June start to construction.


Subcategories

The Drumheller Mail encourages commenting on our stories but due to our harassment policy we must remove any comments that are offensive, or don’t meet the guidelines of our commenting policy.