Teen charged after police officer's badge, vehicle stolen from Calgary home

A Calgary teen faces several charges after a police badge was stolen from an off-duty officer's home last month along with personal valuables and a vehicle.

The Calgary Police Service member was upstairs at their home in Cambrian Heights at about 7 p.m. on Nov. 23 when someone entered the house through the front door. The intruder stole several valuable items, including the member's CPS-issued cellphone and his badge, police said in a release.

The culprit then left in a vehicle using keys stolen from the house.

Police tracked the missing phone to the 100 block of Hendon Drive N.W., where officers found the stolen vehicle parked on the street with the CPS cellphone and many of the other stolen items inside.

Around the same time, another break and enter was reported nearby in the 900 block of 39th Avenue N.W. by a homeowner who was in the residence at the time.

With help from the canine unit and following footprints in the snow, officers tracked a suspect to a house in the 100 block of Harlow Avenue N.W. where he was arrested.

Police believe the same person is responsible for other break and enters reported in the area, which seem to have been random.

Travis Thunderchild Whitequills, 18, of Calgary, is charged with four counts of break and enter, one count of motor vehicle theft, five counts of theft under $5,000, six counts of breaching a court order, and one count of possession of stolen property.

Stolen badge still missing

Many of the stolen items were recovered, but police have not recovered the stolen badge.

Anyone with information about the missing police badge is asked to contact police using the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

If a member of the public is approached by a non-uniformed police officer, they are encouraged to ask to see photo identification in addition to a badge, police said.

"Non-uniformed officers are required to carry picture ID and a badge at all times and citizens have the right to ask for that identification," the release said.

"Citizens can also ask for an officer's last name and call 403-266-1234 to confirm that they are dealing with a real police officer, if something about the situation is suspicious."

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