Trespass, theft charges filed against woman, 30

Mounties in Okotoks have charged a second person in relation to a February theft and shooting where a homeowner was charged with firearms offences.

Stephanie Ann Martens, 30, of Okotoks was arrested by the RCMP on Tuesday.

She has been charged with trespass at night, theft under $5,000 and mischief.

On Feb. 24, rural homeowner Edouard Maurice woke early to find two suspected trespassers rummaging through vehicles on his property.

Shots were fired and one alleged trespasser, Ryan Watson, was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm.

Watson was charged with trespassing by night, theft under $5,000 from a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and failure to comply with probation.

Maurice was also charged with aggravated assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

The charges against Maurice have upset many residents of rural communities, sparking a debate on how far landowners can go to protect their property during rural break-ins.

Maurice appeared in court last week where he was greeted by more than 150 supporters who have rallied around the 33-year-old husband and father.

After the incident, RCMP reminded citizens not to “pursue or engage with suspicious individuals” and to contact police instead.

But with RCMP response times reaching upwards of 45 minutes in some rural areas, many at the rally said they felt isolated and on their own to protect their property.

In 2014, Martens was arrested after a high-speed chase through southern Saskatchewan that ended at the set of the Corner Gas movie in Rouleau.

She was charged with three counts of dangerous driving, two counts of possession of stolen property, and one count each of impaired driving, driving with a blood-alcohol level exceeding .08, leaving the scene of a collision, and evading police.

Martens has been released and is scheduled to appear in court on April 20 in Okotoks.