Recent arrests in Red Deer include a number of people attempting to flee police in stolen vehicles and a woman who was caught shoplifting with a stolen, loaded handgun. Several arrests were made after citizens photographed suspects and police were then able to identify and arrest them. Many of the suspects arrested were wanted on outstanding warrants or were found to be violating court-imposed conditions associated with previous criminal arrests.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. on July 21st, RCMP responded to a report of a residential break and enter in which a suspect had entered a home through a basement window and stolen significant amounts of cash, electronics, passports, jewellery, credit cards and other items. A suspect was seen pushing a cart full of items in the alley behind the house, and the victims located the electronics and a few other items hidden under a blanket in a green space behind the residence.

RCMP located the suspect at 5 a.m. on July 22nd in the parking lot of a convenience store and found him to be in possession of numerous items that had been stolen from the residence. He was arrested without incident. Police continue to investigate to determine if this break and enter is linked to a similar one in the same neighbourhood around the same time.

The 43-year-old suspect faces charges as a result of this arrest, but those charges have not yet been sworn before the courts. In the meantime, the suspect failed to appear in court for other charges stemming from a July 11th arrest, and warrants have now been issued for his arrest.

Shortly after 11 a.m. on July 23rd, RCMP responded to a report of a theft of a generator worth approximately $1,000 from the back of a parked truck; witnesses photographed the theft and RCMP identified the suspect, who is known to police, and arrested him the same afternoon.

A 25-year-old man faces a theft charge; his name cannot be released as the charge against him has not yet been sworn before the courts.

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. on July 24th, RCMP on patrol located a stolen GMC Sierra as it was driving on 40th Ave. The truck did not stop when RCMP initiated a traffic stop, and fled from police at excessive speeds. RCMP did not pursue due to public safety concerns but police officers located the truck again as it sped into the Oriole Park neighbourhood. The truck crashed into a tree on Oleander Drive and the driver attempted to flee on foot but was quickly arrested by RCMP.

Kevin Leo Gallagher, 33, was wanted on an outstanding property crime warrant out of Red Deer at the time of his arrest; he now faces possession of stolen property over $5,000, flight from police, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on July 25th, RCMP responded to a report of shoplifters in custody at a south Red Deer store. RCMP attended and arrested a man and a woman; the woman had a loaded, stolen handgun. The man was alleged to have assaulted store staff while attempting to flee from them.

Deanna Lee Marten, 25, has been charged with careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm for dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm without license, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property under $5,000.

Stephen Dwayne Gibbon, 38, has been charged with theft under $5,000 and assault.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. on July 25th, a woman returned to her home in the West Park neighbourhood to discover a male suspect inside. She ran outside and called 9-1-1, and RCMP attended immediately and arrested the man, who was intoxicated and did not approach the homeowner. The suspect was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Wetaskiwin at the time of his arrest. The 39-year-old man faces a charge of break and enter with intent. His name cannot be released as those charges have not yet been sworn before the courts.

At 2 a.m. on July 26th, RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious male in a fenced in commercial yard in an industrial area. On arrival, police located a suspect attempting to flee the scene; after a brief foot chase, he was arrested without incident. The suspect was in possession of a number of items that police believe are likely stolen property, and RCMP continue to investigate. A 28-year-old man faces charges; his name cannot be released at this time as the investigation continues and those charges have not yet been sworn before the courts.

In the early morning of Aug. 1st, RCMP located a stolen Dodge Ram as it was being driven on Taylor Drive. The truck fled from police, who did not pursue it but moved ahead to intercept it with a tire deflation device on 55th Ave. Both front tires on the truck were deflated, but the driver continued to attempt to evade police, who followed the truck until the front tires were destroyed and the truck came to a stop. The woman driving was wanted on several outstanding warrants at the time of her arrest. Police seized six counterfeit US $50 bills, a stolen cheque book, a small bag of crystal meth and a knife that the suspect was prohibited from carrying due to court-imposed conditions.

Tessa Victoria Smith, 20, has been charged with possession of a Schedule I substance (crystal meth), two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, possession of counterfeit currency and three counts of failing to comply with condition of a recognizance. She has also been charged with outstanding warrants.

– Fawcett