Red Deer RCMP arrested 10 people and executed 30 warrants Tuesday in the first day of a four-day warrant round-up, and have designated Friday as ‘turn-in day’ at the downtown detachment for those who wish to avoid the embarrassment and inconvenience of being arrested publicly by police.
“Our biggest focus in this sweep is on serious offences and those prolific property offenders who regularly fail to show up for their court dates,” said Insp. Gerald Grobmeier of the Red Deer RCMP. “However, we’re committed to getting as many of these outstanding warrants off the books as possible, so we’ve added extra staffing and resources at the downtown detachment all day Friday, August 18th, and we encourage those who are wanted for less serious offences to turn themselves in that day and clear up their status.”
The 30 warrants Red Deer RCMP executed yesterday involved a total of 37 charges, including assault with a weapon, possession of stolen property, personating a police officer, resisting a peace officer and mischief, as well as multiple charges for breaching court-imposed conditions and/ or failing to appear in court, including those who failed to appear for traffic offences. The arrests were made throughout the day and as late as 11:30 p.m., at a variety of locations across the City. RCMP arrested eight men and one woman; two people faced additional charges when arresting officers found one in possession of methamphetamine and determined that a second was breaching court-imposed conditions.
“The warrant round-up is another tool to target those prolific offenders who are responsible for much of the crime, in keeping with Pinpoint, Red Deer’s crime reduction strategy,” said Grobmeier. “However, the round-up is also an invitation to those who’ve been flying under the radar for less serious offences, who are living with the stress of wondering if and when police will show up at their workplace or their home.”
The warrant round-up is being undertaken by members from Red Deer’s Community Response Unit, GIS, general duty and Police Dog Services, with significant support from municipal staff members including criminal analysts and watch clerks.
If you’re wanted on outstanding warrants, Red Deer RCMP urge you to turn yourself in at the downtown RCMP detachment between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Aug. 18th. Bring valid government identification; depending on the offence(s) for which you are wanted, the process may take more than an hour.
– Fawcett
