Two men charged in restaurant break-ins
We have charged two men in relation to a series of commercial break and enters that occurred throughout Calgary since the beginning of November.
Between Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, and Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, police identified a series of up to 17 break and enters that were believed to be connected. A majority of the break and enters targeted restaurants and occurred in the downtown core, Chinatown and along Edmonton Trail and 16 Avenue N.W.
Through a review of evidence, patrol officers believed the same two men were working together to commit the break and enters and engaged our Prolific Offender Engagement Team (POET). Together, officers identified two potential suspects.
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, patrol officers located the suspects walking in the Manchester area and took them into custody without incident.
Bruce Richard BOUGIE, 49, of Calgary, is charged with six counts of break and enter, as well as one outstanding warrant. BOUGIE will next appear in court on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.
Kyle Donald STERMA, 52, of Calgary, is charged with 10 counts of break and enter, as well as three outstanding warrants. STERMA will next appear in court on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.
“Our Prolific Offender Engagement Team monitors approximately 120 offenders in Calgary,” says Acting Sgt. Laura Wilson of the Calgary Police Service Prolific Offender Engagement Team. “By dedicating resources to monitor our most prolific offenders and working closely with patrol officers, we can more quickly identify crimes these offenders may have involvement in.”
The investigation into the break and enter series remains ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.
Case # CA23472813/5195
About the CPS Prolific Offender Engagement Team
The Calgary Police Service Prolific Offender Engagement Team (POET) is a dedicated resource within our Offender Management Unit tasked specifically with managing prolific offenders in Calgary. Offenders are prioritized and assigned to POET based on their level of criminality, number of convictions, history of compliance, criminogenic factors, support agency connections and community impact.
POET uses a combination of suppression, investigation and engagement techniques to reduce an offender’s criminality and protect the community. POET strategically focuses on the root causes of offending and applies practical solutions and management plans that are tailored to an offender’s unique situation. This can include proactive monitoring of offenders, apprehending when crimes are committed, and planning and facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
