Police arrest graffiti suspects
But culprits remain unknown in shooting deaths of horses

Anne Beaty
Echo Editor

Airdrie Echo — Airdrie RCMP have arrested two suspects in regard to a rash of graffiti which has littered the community in recent weeks.
With several buildings and other surfaces in the city being defaced with "tags" – identifying marks or names – local police have caught up with at least two of the perpetrators.
Eighteen-year-old Christopher Geoffrey Foster, of Airdrie, is facing 10 counts of mischief after being arrested March 16.
"The charges relate to graffiti which had been sprayed onto primarily the sides of commercial buildings, as well as some stop signs in town," Airdrie RCMP Const. Ryan George said.
The first arrest was followed up Friday with nine charges being laid against a 15-year-old Airdrie resident.
While an investigation continues in an attempt to identify further suspects, Airdrie RCMP Cpl. Bloxham said that the two males charged are most likely responsible for much of the damage.
"The two of them were probably doing a good portion of the tagging in town," Bloxham said.
In an effort to stem incidents of graffiti, police encourage those whose property has been defaced to take action as soon as possible.
"After it’s been done ... cover it up right away," Airdrie RCMP Sgt. Bruce Robertson said, adding that graffiti is a culprit’s way of advertising him or herself.
Local RCMP are also investigating the shooting death of three horses on Soderglen Ranches, located northwest of Airdrie on Range Road 14. The horses were shot sometime between March 10 and March 15.
"They were quite a distance from the farm," Robertson said, adding that the dead horses were discovered approximately three to four kilometres from the residence.
"Airdrie RCMP are asking the community for assistance, should anyone have information related to this incident," Airdrie RCMP Const. Gloria Chisholm added.
Police are also looking for a man who robbed the Fas Gas in Crossfield Saturday evening. According to Airdrie RCMP, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a lone male entered the building, claiming he had a weapon, and demanded cash and merchandise. After the clerk complied, the culprit fled the scene in a stolen 1996 white Toyota pickup.
The suspect is described as being in his 30s, 165 centimetres tall, having a dark complexion and spiky hair and wearing a black shirt and hooded sweatshirt.
Anyone with information on the above crimes is encouraged to call Airdrie RCMP at 948-3220 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.