Two charged in connection with bomb incidents

By Rob Vogt
Two Claresholm men have been charged in connection with recent bomb incidents in town.
The police issued a release March 29 stating that on March 25, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Claresholm RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of a loud bang from a garage in Claresholm.
A witness said they saw two people carry a person and put them in a vehicle and then drive away. A few minutes later, RCMP were called to the Claresholm hospital where an injured male had been dropped off with serious injuries. Officers then attended the location where the bang came from and found two people inside a garage.
With assistance from Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section and Crime Reduction Unit, on March 26, RCMP executed a search warrant at the residence.
Officers located various types of ammunition; pieces of pipe; fireworks; an explosive fuse; and ammunition that had been cut up to remove the gunpowder.
Jaden Ross Vincent, 27, a resident of Claresholm, who was located in the garage on the night of the explosion, has been charged with:
• two counts of using explosives with intent;
• two counts of mischief under $5,000;
• two counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Vincent was released on conditions and will be appearing in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on April 5.
Michael John Wynia, 40, a resident of Claresholm, who was injured in the garage explosion, has been charged with:
• three counts of making an explosive substance;
• three counts of mischief under $5,000;
• three counts of causing an explosion;
• Possession of break-in tools;
• Possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Wynia has been released on conditions and will be appearing in Fort Macleod Provincial Court on April 5.
This investigation revealed the two accused were also responsible for the March 4 and March 6 pipe bomb incidents in Claresholm.