Two charged in $70,000 Westlock copper theft, one at large
One man is in custody and another remains at large after thieves stole approximately $70,000 worth of copper from a commercial site in Westlock.
The break-in occurred on Nov. 11, when two individuals cut through a fence and made off with the copper, according to Westlock RCMP.
Police identified two suspects and obtained warrants. One was arrested on Dec. 12.
Mark Wesley Wildman, 48, of Westlock and John Joshua Ford, 52, of Athabasca have been charged with break and enter to commit theft over $5,000 and break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000.
Wildman faces two additional counts of failure to comply with court orders.
After his initial arrest, Wildman was released on conditions but has since been arrested again for breaching those conditions. He has been remanded into custody and appeared in Westlock provincial court on Dec. 22.
Ford remains at large. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Westlock RCMP at 780-349-4491 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Missing persons, crime, accidents, fire, death investigations and more.
RCMP Crime Map
View approximate locations of thefts, break and enters, missing persons and high-crime areas in Alberta here.
If you see a crime in progress or need police assistance in an emergency, call 911.
Anonymous reporting through Crime Stoppers and cash rewards
Crime Stoppers allows tip sharing without disclosing personal information. An ID number and password are provided to follow up on tip status or add details.
Cash rewards up to $2,000 may be available for tips leading to an arrest. Higher payouts apply to serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, drug and weapon seizures, and human trafficking.
Call in your tip: 1-800-222-8477 Submit tip online
Online crime reporting (under $5,000)
If you are the victim of property crime such as theft or vandalism under $5,000, online reporting is available 24/7.
Contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers with information about illegal activity.
- Pincher Creek RCMP – 403-627-6000
- Crowsnest Pass RCMP – 403-562-2866
- Piikani Nation RCMP – 403-965-2000
- Other Alberta detachments
- Canadian RCMP detachments
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Two charged in $70,000 Westlock copper theft, one at large
One man is in custody and another remains at large after thieves stole approximately $70,000 worth of copper from a commercial site in Westlock.
The break-in occurred on Nov. 11, when two individuals cut through a fence and made off with the copper, according to Westlock RCMP.
Police identified two suspects and obtained warrants. One was arrested on Dec. 12.
Mark Wesley Wildman, 48, of Westlock and John Joshua Ford, 52, of Athabasca have been charged with break and enter to commit theft over $5,000 and break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000.
Wildman faces two additional counts of failure to comply with court orders.
After his initial arrest, Wildman was released on conditions but has since been arrested again for breaching those conditions. He has been remanded into custody and appeared in Westlock provincial court on Dec. 22.
Ford remains at large. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Westlock RCMP at 780-349-4491 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Missing persons, crime, accidents, fire, death investigations and more.
RCMP Crime Map
View approximate locations of thefts, break and enters, missing persons and high-crime areas in Alberta here.
If you see a crime in progress or need police assistance in an emergency, call 911.
Anonymous reporting through Crime Stoppers and cash rewards
Crime Stoppers allows tip sharing without disclosing personal information. An ID number and password are provided to follow up on tip status or add details.
Cash rewards up to $2,000 may be available for tips leading to an arrest. Higher payouts apply to serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, drug and weapon seizures, and human trafficking.
Call in your tip: 1-800-222-8477 Submit tip online
Online crime reporting (under $5,000)
If you are the victim of property crime such as theft or vandalism under $5,000, online reporting is available 24/7.
Contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers with information about illegal activity.
- Pincher Creek RCMP – 403-627-6000
- Crowsnest Pass RCMP – 403-562-2866
- Piikani Nation RCMP – 403-965-2000
- Other Alberta detachments
- Canadian RCMP detachments
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Southwest Alberta News, Features and Events
- Shootin’ the Breeze Newspaper — Oct. 7, 2026
- Fort Macleod ER closed tonight, Pincher Creek among backups
- Aspen Wilson located safe, Valleyview RCMP cancel Amber Alert
- Travelling Library a hit with Piikani children and elders
- Checks, balances and one Canada
- Randy Plain Eagle brings his story and his stage home
- Thirty years on, Irene Hollander still walks for Terry Fox
- Daughter shares Rose Potts’s residential school story at Vista Village
- Allison Creek camp asks for pause on West Fraser harvest
- Residents seeking time with town council face new rules
- Shootin’ the Breeze Newspaper — Sept. 30, 2026
- A Piikani mother puts one foot in front of the other for her daughter
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