Eight stolen vehicles were recovered and six people arrested during a four-day covert stolen vehicle RCMP operation in early March.
Red Deer RCMP said from Feb. 28 to March 3 covert strategies were used to avoid public safety risks created by criminals driving dangerously or ramming police vehicles while trying to flee.
“This is the second covert stolen vehicle operation we’ve done in Red Deer, and we’re pleased with the success of it, and with the ongoing message we’re sending to habitual offenders,” said RCMP Insp. Gerald Grobmeier.
He said police are using a variety of crime reduction strategies to target vehicle thefts and property crime and the handful of repeat offenders who are responsible for most of it.
The operation involved officers from Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT), GIS and general duty, RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), and Police Dog Services.
A 29-year-old man, who attempted to flee police on foot, was arrested for failing to comply with probation after RCMP located him in a vehicle he did not own. He was also arrested on several outstanding warrants involving 35 charges that included multiple charges for use of a stolen credit card, break and enter, theft of vehicle, a number of fraud charges, and multiple charges for failing to comply with conditions and breaching probation. He is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on March 19.
A 35-year-old man was arrested in a high crime area in a van that was reported stolen from Red Deer after it was left running and unlocked. He is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, failing to comply with conditions, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 21.
A 48-year-old man was arrested in a parked stolen truck and is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and failing to comply with conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 21.
A 19-year-old man was arrested on outstanding warrants for break and enter, theft, and failing to comply with conditions. He was remanded to appear in court on March 5 and 16.
A 44-year-old woman was arrested on outstanding warrants for theft and break and enter in the Bashaw area. She is scheduled to appear in Stettler provincial court on April 26.