$70,000 Copper Theft; One Suspect in Custody
Second man at large
Following an investigation into a significant commercial theft in November, Westlock RCMP have arrested one man and issued a warrant for another.
On November 11, 2025, Westlock RCMP responded to a report of a break-and-enter at a commercial site. Investigation revealed that two individuals had cut through a security fence and stolen approximately $70,000 worth of copper.
Police successfully identified two suspects following the incident and obtained warrants for their arrests.
Charges and Arrests
The investigation led to charges against Mark Wesley Wildman, 48, of Westlock, and John Joshua Ford, 52, of Athabasca. Both men face the following charges:
- Break and enter to commit theft over $5,000
- Break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000
Mark Wesley Wildman was additionally charged with two counts of failure to comply with court orders.
Note on Legal Proceedings
Wildman was initially released on conditions with a court date set for January 7, 2026. However, he was recently re-arrested for breaching those conditions. He has been remanded into custody and made a court appearance on December 22, 2025.
Public Assistance Requested
Westlock RCMP are still seeking the public’s help in locating John Joshua Ford.
If you have any information regarding Ford’s whereabouts, please contact the Westlock RCMP at 780.349.4491. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers via:
- Phone: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
- Online: www.P3Tips.com
- App: The "P3 Tips" app (available on Apple and Google Play)
For ongoing updates and to report crime online, residents are encouraged to download the Alberta RCMP app from Google Play or the App Store. For non-emergencies within any Alberta RCMP jurisdiction, call 310-RCMP (7267).
Milestones 2021-2025
Download the latest report to the community, or browse it in flipbook format.
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