A former Edmonton mayoral candidate is facing charges after a Christmas vehicle break-in at the Edmonton International Airport.

Alberta RCMP say Curtis Penner, 37, has been charged with two counts of mischief under $5,000 and one count of theft over $5,000 after police responded to reports on Dec. 25 of a black Acura with a smashed window that was parked at the south employee parking lot at the Edmonton International Airport. Police believe the break-in occurred on Dec. 24.

"It appeared a number of items in the car had been removed," said Insp. Gibson Glavin with RCMP "K" Division.

"One mischief charge is for breaking the window and one is for damaging the battery cables of the vehicle."

Penner, a local property developer and entrepreneur,briefly ran in the 2013 mayoral election before dropping out less than two months before the vote that saw Don Iveson become Mayor of Edmonton.

A witness to the crime, who asked not to be named, said he saw a man posing as tow truck attendant with yellow high visibility attire and used traffic cones to make it appear as if it was a vehicle assist.

Glavin could not confirm the information, noting police will present evidence in court. Glavin said the Acura was the only vehicle damaged and police are not concerned about security at the airport as it "appears to be an isolated event."

Penner is scheduled to appear in court in Leduc on Jan. 28, 2016.

matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca

@SunMattDykstra