Hinton RCMP Arrest Two, Seize Loaded Shotgun After Theft Calls
Community Safety Alert for Hinton, Alberta
On the evening of May 13, 2026, Hinton RCMP responded to a series of theft-related complaints that led officers to a suspect vehicle at a local hotel. Two individuals from Grande Prairie, ages 28 and 25, were arrested after attempting to flee on foot, and officers recovered a loaded shotgun with its serial number altered.
The investigation began with a theft from a delivery truck at the Ace Liquor store in Parks West Mall, followed by a shoplifting incident at Walmart involving two suspects in the same vehicle. Surveillance footage allowed police to link these events to previous theft files. By around 11:00 p.m., officers located the suspect vehicle at a hotel in Hinton, Alberta, executed a coordinated arrest plan, and safely took both suspects into custody without injuries.
Official RCMP Incident Details
Earlier on May 13, police received a report that, while a delivery was underway at Ace Liquor in Parks West Mall, a suspect entered an unlocked delivery truck and took the driver’s lunch, cell phone, and medications before driving away in a vehicle. Later that evening, Hinton RCMP were called to Walmart for a shoplifting complaint involving two suspects who again departed in the same vehicle.
Investigators reviewed video footage and connected these calls to an ongoing cluster of theft-related investigations. At approximately 11:00 p.m., officers found the suspect vehicle parked at a local hotel. Given earlier incidents in which this vehicle had allegedly fled from police, members developed a coordinated strategy to minimize risk to the public and to officers.
As police approached, both suspects attempted to run from the scene. After a short foot chase, they were arrested without physical harm. Officers also located a discarded duffle bag, which contained a loaded 12-gauge shotgun with its serial number altered.
Charges Laid
A 28-year-old and a 25-year-old, both residents of Grande Prairie, Alberta, face the following charges:
- Possession of break-in instruments
- Theft under $5,000
- Resisting arrest
The 28-year-old accused faces additional firearm-related charges:
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited
- Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number had been altered, defaced, or removed
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Careless use or storage of a firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon
Police also arrested one of the individuals on outstanding warrants from Prince Edward Island. That person appeared before a Justice of the Peace and is scheduled to attend the Alberta Court of Justice in Edson on May 19, 2026. The 25-year-old was released on conditions and is set to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Hinton on June 3, 2026.
Public Information & How to Report Tips
Anyone with information about related criminal activity in the Hinton region is urged to contact Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455. Residents who prefer to remain anonymous can reach Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit a tip online via P3Tips.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
For broader context on local crime patterns and policing needs, residents can review Hinton, Alberta crime statistics and safety data, which help put incidents like this into perspective for the community.
CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective
From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case highlights how relatively low-value thefts—such as stolen personal items or shoplifting—can be linked to more serious risks, including illegal firearm possession and weapons with altered serial numbers. These situations increase danger for the public and for officers responding to what may initially appear to be minor property offences.
To support community safety in Alberta, residents are encouraged to lock vehicles, even during quick stops or deliveries; secure valuables and medications out of sight; and promptly report suspicious behaviour around commercial parking lots, hotels, and shopping areas. Rapid and detailed reporting—such as vehicle descriptions, licence plates, and timelines—can be critical in helping police interrupt ongoing criminal activity before it escalates. CrimeCanada.ca remains committed to providing incident-based alerts and data so that communities can stay informed, engaged, and proactive in preventing crime.
Official Source & Community Safety
This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.
Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.