ASIRT said Friday that a former member of the RCMP in Spruce Grove/Stony Plain was facing charges related to crimes he allegedly committed while he was an officer.

The investigation was launched on February 18, 2016, after the Director of Law Enforcement directed ASIRT to follow up on allegations of theft and fraud allegedly committed by an RCMP member.

It’s alleged that on March 6, 2015, Aaron Sayler (who was a Constable at the time) searched a vehicle and found an airsoft pistol – but he did not seize it as evidence, he took it.

It’s also alleged that on October 27, 2014, Sayler committed insurance fraud by creating a false hit and run collision report that he submitted to his insurance company, in an attempt to collect insurance money.

The ASIRT investigation determined there were reasonable grounds to believe the crimes were committed by the officer – and Sayler was arrested Thursday, October 20.

Sayler is now facing charges of theft under $5,000, obtaining by false pretenses, uttering a forged document and fraud under $5,000.

He has been released on conditions.