RCMP arrest two men after industrial vandalism investigation
savage
Friday, January 15, 1999
RCMP arrest two men after industrial vandalism
investigation
GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. (CP) -- RCMP arrested two men Friday after an
investigation into vandalism against oil and gas wells in northern
Alberta .
Wiebo Ludwig Sr., 58, and Richard Boonstra, 53, were taken into
custody near their farm, said Staff Sgt. Dave Mackay. "The arrests
were undertaken without incident."
They each face nine charges, including destroying or damaging
property over $5,000 and counsel to possess an explosive substance
with intent to damage property. The charges stem from incidents
alleged to have happened between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 of last year.
Ludwig was taken into custody at about 10:30 a.m. in front of Tags
Food and Gas, a convenience store near Hythe.
The owner, who would only give her name as Corinne, said people are
pleased that police have made an arrest. "People are quite happy and
relieved," said Corinne, who added energy workers and farmers have
been on edge for months because of the vandalism. Boonstra was
arrested at the Ludwig farm, 500 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, as
RCMP went through the property collecting evidence.
Ludwig's wife, Mamie Lou, said she couldn't comment because of police
asked them to leave their home. "We have 35 police officers here right
now and they're putting us all on a bus right now so they can search
the place."
Ludwig, a former Christian Reform preacher from Goderich, Ont., has
blamed the energy sector for a number of stillbirths in his extended
family and for the deaths of animals. Last August, Ludwig and several
members of his family were charged with mischief after a bombing at a
oil well installation but the charge was dropped. One of Ludwig's
neighbours, farmer Gisela Everton, said word of the arrests spread
quickly.
Everton said people in the area are still concerned and aren't ready
to let their guard down. "You never know what is going to happen
next," she said. "Where is this going to go . . . let's wait and
see." A wave of more than 160 acts of vandalism last year put
Alberta's energy sector on edge, prompting businesses to contribute
$100,000 for information leading to the conviction of those
responsible for blasting gas and oil wells.
Alberta Energy Corp. has said it has suffered more than $2 million in
damage since the sabotage started. A company spokesman said AEC won't
comment on the case because it is before the courts, but issued a
release saying the vandalism remains a concern. "We will continue to
maintain our level of security and encourage our employees and
neighbours to be continually vigilant," said AEC spokesman Ed
McGillivray.
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