Edmonton Police Service members responded to a call from West Edmonton Mall security personnel last night, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013. Mall security members recognized Preston Lee Carpenter, 29, from a photo released to the public earlier in the day.
Security officials with a keen eye spotted Carpenter walking through WEM and quickly contacted police, who responded and arrested the suspect.
Carpenter is facing charges of forgery (x2), unlawfully in a dwelling and mischief.
Background:
Southwest patrol members responded to four calls involving two retirement homes since Monday, Nov. 25, 2013; the first in the Garneau area, the second in the neighbourhood of Glastonbury.
In the most recent incident that occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on Dec. 5, the suspect claimed to be the grandson of a resident, in an attempt to gain access to the building. In the Nov. 25 incident, it is alleged the suspect posed as a maintenance man and gained access to a 95-year-old resident’s suite, where a cabinet was broken into and items stolen.