Innisfail RCMP arrested two Red Deer men burning copper wire near Highway 54 bridge on Aug. 28, seizing 187 pounds of the stolen metal from their truck.

Innisfail Fire Department discovered the suspects burning copper wire and contacted police. When officers arrived, the men attempted to flee in their truck but were stopped during a traffic stop. Police spotted over 100 pounds of stripped copper wire in the truck bed, leading to their arrest for possession of stolen property.

A search of the vehicle revealed 187 pounds of copper wire and several break-and-enter tools.

Douglas MacQuarrie, 49, of Red Deer was charged with possession of stolen property, unlawful burning of hazardous material, possession of break-and-enter tools and failing to comply with release conditions. MacQuarrie was remanded into custody after a judicial interim release hearing and will appear Sept. 10 at Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

Tristan Foley, 29, of Red Deer was charged with possession of stolen property and unlawful burning of hazardous material. Foley was released by a Justice of the Peace and will appear Sept. 10 at Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

MacQuarrie was previously charged in December 2024 as part of an RCMP copper wire theft initiative. He faced breaking and entering charges along with Peter Walker of Innisfail in the Olds area, where damages initially estimated under $5,000 were later revealed to cost nearly $100,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play stores.

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