Year-Long RCMP Probe Leads to Arrest in Major ATM Heist
Royal Canadian Mounted Police have announced the arrest of a Calgary woman following an extensive investigation into a significant theft from a bank machine in Lloydminster. The investigation, which spanned more than a year, concluded with the suspect being taken into custody on multiple outstanding warrants.
Details of the Lloydminster Break-In
The incident occurred on December 29, 2024, around 10 a.m. Police were called to a location near 39th Avenue and 50th Street in Lloydminster, a city situated directly on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The community is approximately a 550-kilometre drive northeast of Calgary.
Upon arrival, RCMP members discovered that a suspect had forcibly entered an automated teller machine (ATM) and removed more than $130,000 in cash. In addition to the stolen funds, the break-in caused substantial damage. "The expenses for the damage and replacement costs of the ATM were nearly $30,000," the RCMP stated in a news release issued on a recent Thursday.
The Investigation and Arrest
The RCMP's investigation was comprehensive, involving a detailed canvass of the area for security camera footage. This evidence was crucial in identifying a suspect. With assistance from law enforcement teams in Calgary, officers located and arrested Mandy Breadlaw, a 40-year-old resident of Calgary.
Breadlaw was apprehended on the strength of 26 outstanding warrants. She now faces serious criminal charges, including:
- Break and enter
- Mischief over $5,000
- Theft over $5,000
Following her arrest, Breadlaw was held in custody. She was scheduled for a court appearance in Wainwright, Alberta, on the Thursday the news release was issued.
The case highlights the reach of RCMP investigations across provincial lines and the significant financial impact of such crimes, which include not only stolen currency but also costly repairs and replacements for damaged infrastructure.
