A Whitecourt man is facing multiple charges after Alberta RCMP Traffic Services officers arrested him twice within a week for allegedly breaching court-ordered release conditions. On Sept. 11, members of the Whitecourt Traffic Unit were conducting patrols near Whitecourt when they checked an area where stolen copper wire had reportedly been stripped.

Police said the officers found a suspicious vehicle occupied by two people and conducted a traffic stop. One of the occupants was identified as a man police described as a prolific offender who had recently been released from custody on unrelated matters. Further investigation determined the individual was allegedly breaching court-ordered release conditions.

During the arrest, officers seized a small quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine and a can of bear spray, RCMP said. The accused was brought before a justice of the peace, remanded into custody and later released on conditions on Sept. 15. RCMP said the same individual was arrested again three days later, on Sept. 18, after Alberta RCMP Traffic Services members were called to assist a Whitecourt RCMP officer during a traffic stop.

Police allege officers discovered the man was once again failing to comply with release conditions. RCMP said officers also located drugs and bear spray in his possession. As a result of the investigation, Joshua Carter of Whitecourt has been charged with four weapons-related offences, four counts of failing to comply with a release order, unauthorized driving, possession of a controlled substance, and one Cannabis Act-related charge.

Carter was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Oct. 13. “This investigation highlights the ongoing efforts of our Alberta RCMP Traffic officers to proactively target crime on Alberta’s roadways and hold repeat offenders accountable,” Sgt. Greg Anderson, officer-in-charge of the Alberta RCMP Traffic-Whitecourt Unit, said in a release. “The quick actions of our members helped identify repeated breaches and remove an offender from the community.” TWilkie@postmedia.com