Man charged after jewelry stolen from homes damaged in Calgary house explosion – Calgary

A man has been charged in relation to a break-in at an evacuated residence following a house explosion and fire in northeast Calgary last month.

On March 30 at around 1:45 pm, a woman and her husband were returning to their house in the 700 block of Maryvale Way NE after a house explosion sent 10 people to hospital and damaged other houses several days earlier.


Click to play video: 'Calgary house explosion leaves 10 in hospital, 6 in life-threatening condition'


Calgary house explosion leaves 10 in hospital, 6 in life-threatening condition


When they arrived, they were confronted by a man who was leaving their home, who claimed to be a security guard. The man then quickly fled the area, police said.

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When the woman and her husband entered the home, they saw evidence of an alleged break-in and called the police.

Police said several pieces of jewelry were taken during the alleged break-in. This includes nine gold chains with various pendants, a ruby ​​ring, opal earrings, a Swarovski pendant with matching earrings, pear earrings, a pearl pendant, a jade ring pendant and silver chains.


Click to play video: 'Calgary thieves see house explosion as opportunity to commit crime'


Calgary thieves see house explosion as opportunity to commit crime


Police said photos of the jewelry are not available.

According to police, weeks later, officers caught the alleged thief red-handed at the scene of another crime.

On Monday at around 3 am, the police were respondent to calls for a break-and-enter at Village Square Leisure Centre, located at 2623 56 St. NE Police arrested one suspect at the scene.

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According to a news release, the Calgary Police Service believes the suspect is linked to the residential break-in last month.

The suspect was also believed to be linked to a vehicle theft on Feb. 15 and an incident involving the possession of an illegal weapon on April 22.

Daniel Riley Johnson, 53, was charged with:

  • Two counts of break and enter
  • One count of theft over $5,000
  • One count of possession of break-in instruments
  • One count of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon
  • One count of carrying a concealed weapon
  • One count of disguises with intent
  • One count of driving an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway
  • One count of driving while disqualified or prohibited

Additional charges are pending, police said. Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

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