Five people face charges after $15,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from the Syncrude ‘Giants of Mining’ exhibit on Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray. Mounties were called at 4:34 a.m. on Oct. 1 to a report that the theft was in progress. As officers arrived, a black GMC truck was leaving the site southbound on Highway 63.

Police found the truck at 5:10 a.m. and tried to stop it, but the driver did not pull over. Officers did not pursue it for public safety reasons. They located the pickup again on Highway 63 just south of Fort McMurray and stopped it; the five people inside were arrested without incident.

A search found copper wire, suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, bear spray and a Taser. Police determined the truck had been stolen and its vehicle identification number (VIN) altered.

A 42-year-old Calgary man faces two counts of property obtained by crime, along with drug and weapons charges. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Fort McMurray on Oct. 14. A 25-year-old woman from Rocky View County is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, flight from police, tampering with a VIN, driving without insurance or registration, and drug and weapons offences. She remains in custody and is due in court Oct. 19.

A 46-year-old man from Rocky View County was charged with property obtained by crime and drug and weapons offences. He was released from custody and has a Fort McMurray court date of Oct. 15. A 35-year-old Calgary woman faces two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, drug and weapons charges, and failure to comply with a release order. She remains in custody, with a court date set for Oct. 19.

A 45-year-old Calgary man is charged with two counts of property obtained by crime, drug and weapons offences, and two counts of failure to comply with a release order. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 19.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.