In March 2025, police began investigating reports of mischief and copper wire theft from an EPCOR switching cubicle in the area of 101 Street SW and 6 Avenue SW. Upon arrival at the scene, police observed a male suspect on CCTV footage who was wearing unique clothing while he was reportedly stealing security equipment and causing damage to a switching cubicle before fleeing the area.
On April 3, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., police were on scene to investigate theft from an EPCOR switching cubicle that occurred on April 1 at an auto mall in the area of 103A Street at the Calgary Trail exit. At this time, police located a male suspect who was determined to be trespassing on private property and was observed wearing unique clothing that matched the CCTV footage from the investigation in March. The male was arrested on scene without incident and was found to have 24 outstanding criminal warrants. After completing a search, police located tools on the male as well as a large hunting knife strapped to his body.
Luke Michael Dean, 32, was charged with unlawful disguise with intent to commit an indictable offense (x2), breaching conditions of a release order (x2), mischief over $5,000 and theft under $5,000.
At this time, police do not believe that these incidents are related to the copper wire thefts and the tampering of switching cubicles that the EPS issued a media release on in February, however the investigation remains ongoing.
If members of the public encounter a switching cubicle that has been tampered with, police are advising them to stay away from the electrical unit and to contact them immediately. Police are also asking the public to contact them immediately should they observe suspicious persons tampering with switching cubicles.