Edmonton-area cattle rustling leads to charges

A 57-year-old man from Ardrossan, east of Edmonton, is facing more than a dozen fraud and theft charges following a two-year rustling investigation.

A producer called police in 2009 over a missing herd of 138 head of purebred Angus cattle, which he believes were illegally removed and sold from where they were being boarded, said Strathcona County RCMP constable Wally Henry.

Police believe the accused altered the brands on the animal, he said.

Henry said 84 cattle are still unaccounted for and the RCMP continues to investigate.

The accused also faces one count under the livestock indentification and brand inspection act for transporting livestock out of Alberta without inspection.

A court date is set for Mar. 21.