Red Deer RCMP made a number of arrests for property crimes between March 3rd and the early morning hours of March 5th, all thanks to the vigilance of the public.
In two cases, citizens assisted police by detaining suspects who were attempting to flee. While RCMP do not encourage the public to ever put themselves at risk by confronting criminals, they are grateful for the support of the public in seeing that 39 charges were sworn against seven men for property crimes over the weekend.
“These successful arrests were all made because citizens reported suspicious behaviour to the police when they saw it, and RCMP are so appreciative of the public engagement and support we’re seeing,” said Cpl. Karyn Kay of the Red Deer RCMP. “However, police urge citizens to never put themselves in potential danger by confronting a criminal. You have no idea if they’re carrying a weapon, or if they’re intoxicated and likely to react violently and unpredictably in their efforts to escape arrest. The police are trained in tactics to subdue armed or aggressive suspects. Please leave that to us – we never want to see a member of the public injured as a result of a confrontation with a criminal.”
The first arrest occurred after Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of a stolen truck at 3:30 p.m. on March 3rd. The truck that was parked in a field at Hwy. 11A and RR 273A. The occupant of the truck was wanted on several outstanding warrants from nearby RCMP detachments, and was taken into custody without incident. The truck had been reported stolen out of the Sundre area earlier the same morning.
Joseph Murdock Hayden, 26, has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of ammunition while prohibited by reason of order, possession of bear spray while prohibited by reason of order, three counts of failing to comply with conditions and possession of methamphetamine.
Shortly after 4 p.m. on March 3rd, Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of suspicious activity downtown in the area of northbound Gaetz Avenue and Ross Street. On arrival, RCMP located a suspect who was wanted on an outstanding warrant and who was in possession of small amounts of ammunition, methadone and marijuana, in violation of probation conditions.
Braeden Jacob Lewis, 20, has been charged with four counts of breaching probation.
Shortly after 1 p.m. on March 4th, Red Deer RCMP arrested two men as they attempted to sell a stolen truck after arranging the sale online. RCMP located one suspect in the Village Mall parking lot, where he had arranged to meet a buyer who did not know the vehicle was stolen. When police arrived, the suspect attempted to flee police on foot but was detained by a citizen and taken into custody by police. The second suspect was identified through the course of the investigation and arrested at a residence in the Highland Green neighbourhood shortly afterward.
Matthew Douglas Bauer, 31, has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with conditions.
Brandyn John Beach, 31, has been charged with trafficking in stolen property over $5,000.
Shortly after 2 p.m. on March 4th, RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious car in a parking lot on Halman Crescent. RCMP arrived on scene and determined the SUV was stolen. As police contained the scene in preparation to arrest the male occupant of the vehicle, two citizens approached with a second suspect they had detained after catching him in the act of breaking into a nearby residence. That suspect broke free and attempted to flee police; after a brief foot chase and attempts to resist arrest, he was taken into custody. The first suspect in the stolen car also attempted to resist arrest but was taken into custody after a brief altercation. RCMP seized a number of weapons (knife, bat, axe) from the vehicle that the first suspect was prohibited from possessing due to court-imposed conditions.
Aaron Frederick Brown, 32, (suspect one) has been charged with four counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, four counts of failing to comply with conditions, resisting a peace officer, possession of counterfeit currency and possession of methamphetamine.
Jesse Lee Sprague, 23, (suspect two) has been charged with break and enter, resisting a peace officer and two counts of possession of counterfeit currency.
As well, Red Deer RCMP arrested a man shortly after 5 a.m. on March 5th after responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle and locating the suspect parked in a stolen SUV in a lot at 67th St. and Taylor Drive. The suspect assaulted two police officers before being taken into custody; both police officers sustained minor injuries that didn’t require medical attention. The vehicle had been stolen out of Red Deer on Feb. 9th as it sat unlocked and idling.
Martin Victor Talbot, 25, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drug, refusing to provide urine sample, two counts of assaulting a peace officer, possession of stolen property over $5,000, driving while disqualified, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle contrary to restriction/condition, and operating a motor vehicle without registration.
“RCMP thank Red Deerians for the active role they play in locating stolen vehicles and reporting suspicious persons and behaviours,” said Kay. “It’s clear from the number of property crime arrests and charges we saw between Thursday and Sunday that citizen engagement plays a key role in the RCMP’s crime prevention and enforcement work.”
– Fawcett
