Travis Vader back in jail as police investigate stolen truck, copper wire
Man at the centre of a high-profile murder trial arrested Tuesday night in west Edmonton
Travis Vader is being investigated by Edmonton police for allegedly stealing a truck and some copper wire, sources have told CBC News.
The man at the centre of a high-profile double murder trial was arrested Tuesday night and is now back in custody.
Vader's conditions were amended April 15 to allow RCMP to conduct weekly random drug tests.
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At the time the conditions were changed, defence lawyer Brian Beresh told the court: "There has been no suggestion during this trial that Mr. Vader has been under the use of any drugs."
According to court documents, Vader's most recent drug test was conducted on May 5. RCMP obtained the results Tuesday and say Vader tested positive for methamphetamine.
The positive drug test breached Vader's bail conditions. On Tuesday night, RCMP requested the assistance of Edmonton police to arrest him.
Vader wears an electronic monitoring device. His location was tracked Tuesday to Sentag Trailer manufacturing in the city's west end.
The company owner told CBC that copper wire worth an estimated $850 was stolen from his yard.
Sources say Vader allegedly drove a stolen truck from Sentag to a mobile-home park on Winterburn Road. He dumped the truck there and took off on foot. He was later arrested by police.
No new charges have been laid, but a spokesperson for Edmonton police said Vader is the subject of an ongoing investigation that may result in criminal charges later this week.
Vader also allegedly breached his bail conditions by contacting Crown witness Donald Bulmer between March 12 and April 17, RCMP say.
Bulmer testified at Vader's first-degree murder trial on May 2.
Vader, who is currently on trial for the July 2010 murders of Lyle and Marie McCann, made a brief court appearance Wednesday morning wearing orange coveralls.
He will remain in jail, at least for now. His bail hearing was set over until May 18.
The murder trial continues Thursday, when the defence is scheduled to begin its case.