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Update: EPS announces charges in alleged theft of copper, drug trafficking

Three men from Alberta charged
Estevan Police Service Car

ESTEVAN - The Estevan Police Service has announced charges in connection with a recent theft of copper in the community.

The EPS announced Monday the arrest of three people. Police continued to investigate and executed a search warrant on a local hotel. Further evidence was seized as part of that search.

Three men from Edmonton, Bryson Sorvisto, 24, Martin Fontaine, 59, and Earl Lanz, 66, have been charged with theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and possession of an instrument suitable for breaking into a place or vehicle, all under the Criminal Code, as well as possession of methamphetamine under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.

Lanz has also been charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under the CDSA.

Sorvisto has also been charged with failing to comply with a condition of a release order under the Criminal Code.

The charges have not been proven in court.

Police received a report from a business on the weekend of suspicious activity around their property. Then on Monday morning, another local business called reporting a theft of copper. Police were able to review the circumstances and evidence from both calls and believe the two were connected.

The three men were arrested Monday afternoon allegedly trying to sell the stolen property. Estevan patrol members and the K9 unit member responded to the call and took them into custody before leaving that business.