Red Deer RCMP arrested 36 people this week in a concerted drive to clear up outstanding warrants; in all, RCMP checked 199 people or residences, executed 83 warrants and laid 117 charges.

Police executed warrants for offences including aggravated assault, drug offences, all types of thefts, and fraud, as well as multiple charges for breaching court-imposed conditions and/or failing to appear in court.

“All communities have a number of outstanding warrants at all times, and it takes a lot of resources to administer them. Our focus in this sweep was on serious offences and on habitual offenders who regularly fail to show up for their court dates,” said Insp. Gerald Grobmeier of the Red Deer RCMP.

“The sweep also provided us with valuable updated information as to the locations and well-being of those on outstanding warrants.”

Beyond the 83 warrants that were executed, 44 more were cleared this week as police determined that subjects had moved away, were in jail elsewhere for other offences or, in some cases, were deceased.

The multi-team effort was undertaken by members from Red Deer’s Community Response Unit, GIS, general duty, Police Dog Services and the RCMP helicopter, with significant support from municipal staff members including criminal analysts and watch clerks.

“Red Deer RCMP will continue this warrant work into the new year,” said Grobmeier. “We encourage anyone who is wanted on outstanding warrants to turn themselves in to the downtown RCMP detachment and save themselves the embarrassment and inconvenience of being arrested publicly by police.”