High River RCMP recovered a number of stolen items on the evening of Christmas Day, but are still looking for the rightful owners for some of the items.

Sgt. Brent Hawker of the High River RCMP says they found these items thanks to a phone call.

"An alert citizen recognized there was suspicious activity going on and that we were able to apprehend them. We siezed a number of items out of the vehicle as well, stolen property from another location.  So we managed to get some of the property back to owners, but we're looking for people to come forward if they've had a theft in and around Christmas Day."

He also says it can be difficult to restore items to the right homes.

"It can be challenging sometimes to get equipment back to people, or items that were stolen because often people don't have a total inventory of what might be taken.  It's not uncommon that we have issues trying to marry property that we believe to be stolen back to the rightful owner."

Sgt Hawker notes that the items that were recovered are tools and other things you may find in a garage.  He says it can often be difficult for people to recognize a theft.

"If you had a garage and full of property and someone broke in and took things, you can't always recall excatly what was taken.  You could easily miss a socket set, for instance."

Two men, one 44 years old and one 39 years old, have been arrested in connection with the theft. Both men are from Calgary. The 44 year old man has been charged, and the other man has charges pending in this matter.

Anyone who has noticed a theft on or around Christmas Day is urged to call the High River Detachment at 403-652-2357.