On Aug. 31, 2026, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Swan Hills RCMP received a report of a suspicious ATV from workers at a nearby oil lease site in the Kidney Lake Road area.
The workers reported that when they approached a male operating the ATV, the ATV became hung up and immobilized and the male fled on foot into the surrounding bush. The workers provided police with a description of the male and the direction in which he fled.
Officers attended and confirmed that the ATV had previously been reported stolen from Edson, Alta. A machete and large bolt cutters were also located with the ATV.
Due to the suspect having fled into the surrounding wooded area in an attempt to evade apprehension, RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) resource from Whitecourt were deployed to assist with the search.
Police Service Dog Nuke began tracking from the area where the stolen ATV was recovered and subsequently located the suspect concealed in the bush. The suspect was apprehended with the assistance of PSD Nuke.
The suspect sustained minor injuries during his interaction with the police service dog and was transported to hospital for treatment. He was medically cleared and returned to police custody.
Further investigation resulted in police recovering a backpack associated with the suspect containing a break-in tools.
Police determined that the accused was subject to an active release order at the time of his arrest. Conditions of that order included a requirement that he remain inside his residence 24 hours a day and a prohibition on possessing weapons.
Derek Borgel, 44, a resident of Yellowhead County, Alta., has been charged with:
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
• Possession of break-in instruments; and
• Failure to comply with a release order, three counts.
Following a judicial interim release hearing, Borgel was remanded into custody.
The stolen ATV was recovered and its registered owner was notified.