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OKOTOKS, Alta. — RCMP in southern Alberta have charged another suspect in a theft investigation in which a homeowner is accused of firing shots as people were rummaging through his vehicles.

Police say Stephanie Martens of Okotoks faces charges of theft, trespass and mischief.

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Martens is to appear in provincial court on April 20.

Last month, Ryan Watson was charged with the same offences in the case after he was discharged from hospital with an injured arm.

Edouard Maurice, the homeowner, faces charges of aggravated assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

Last Friday, a crowd of about 150 people applauded Maurice after he made a brief court appearance on the charges.

His case has been put over to April 6.

Rural crime on the Prairies has been in the spotlight following the acquittal of Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, an Indigenous man who was on his property.

On Friday, Alberta announced it will spend $10-million to hire more RCMP, Crown prosecutors and other staff to crack down on rural crime, which is at a five-year high.