A two-week targeted investigation by the regional Priority Crimes Task Force and the SCAN unit of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) ended in a search warrant at a Penhold residence on Jan. 24th with the arrest of three men and a male youth, and the seizure of significant amounts of stolen property. The stolen property has already been linked to a number of property crime files throughout the region, and Innisfail, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake and Red Deer RCMP continue to investigate.
On Jan. 24th the regional Priority Crimes Task Force, with assistance from SCAN, executed a search warrant at 151 Lincoln St. in Penhold to search for stolen property. While police were on scene conducting a search of the residence, the male resident returned in a vehicle with two other people.
RCMP arrested him on outstanding warrants and arrested the two male passengers in the vehicle, as well. A fourth male, a youth, was also taken into custody at the residence. Police seized a replica firearm, a stolen firearm, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from the vehicle, and large amounts of stolen property from the residence, including electronics and tools. The seized rifle had been reported stolen from Three Hills on Jan. 1st.
Gary Raymond Auvigne, 39, of Penhold has been charged with failing to comply with undertaking, three charges of possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, use of a firearm during commission of offence, use of a replica firearm during commission of offence and possession of crystal meth for the purpose of trafficking.
“Since July of 2014, this address has been involved in more than 70 complaints to police, and the resident has been involved in almost 40 complaints to police,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk of the Innisfail RCMP. “This address has been a continuous source of concern within the community and the task force targeted it as a high priority to address.
“The community is very frustrated that they continue to see all of this activity – this is their neighbourhood. Since that date (Auvigne’s arrest) we have received a lot of positive comments from the community that they are relieved that we were able to arrest and listen to their concerns and complaints.”
Matechuk added Auvigne is well known to police. Last August he was arrested and charged for possession of stolen property obtained by crime. He was released on several conditions. He was then arrested on Oct. 10th and charged with break and enter, three counts of possession of stolen property, two counts of failing to comply with conditions and one count of possession of break in instruments. He was again released with conditions.
Auvigne was arrested and charged Oct. 14th for failing to comply with recognizance, driving an uninsured vehicle and driving without valid registration. He was released from custody.
On Oct. 28th Auvigne was stopped by a peace officer while operating a motor vehicle. That vehicle was uninsured and he was issued violation tickets and charged. He was ordered to appear in court on those charges Dec. 15th. He did not appear.
He was arrested on Dec. 28th with failing to comply with recognizance and he was released. On Jan. 5th, RCMP members attended Auvigne’s Penhold residence to conduct a curfew check and discovered Auvigne was not home – a warrant was sought for his arrest.
Auvigne made his first appearance in Red Deer court regarding this latest matter last Thursday and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 5th.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
