Three men face numerous Criminal Code charges after RCMP conducted two search warrants in Red Deer between April 6th and April 13th.
The search warrants were the result of an investigation into a report of forcible confinement, and involved collaboration between Red Deer RCMP, Sylvan Lake RCMP and the Alberta Emergency Response Team, with support from the Alberta RCMP Explosive Device Unit.
The forcible confinement is alleged to have taken place in mid-April in Red Deer when a man was held against his will at a residence by several men who were known to him.
The investigation evolved to include a search for numerous firearms that had been stolen in a series of break and enters and other property crimes in the area.
The investigation also resulted in further charges being laid with relation to several break and enter files in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer earlier in April.
Recovered property included credit and debit cards, cheques and other personal documents from crimes committed in Boyle, Blackfalds and area, Sylvan Lake, Red Deer, Red Deer County and Bonnyville, and included property linked to thefts from numerous businesses in Red Deer and surrounding area.
Red Deer RCMP seized 14 firearms, explosives, thousands of rounds of ammunition and numerous credit and debit cards during a search warrant at a residence in the Normandeau neighbourhood on April 6. Red Deer RCMP then seized two more firearms and a replica firearm during the search warrant at a Highland Green residence on April 13, as well as ammunition and small amounts of what is believed to be fentanyl and several other Schedule I and Schedule II drugs.
“It’s quite common for an investigation such as this to lead to other investigations, as violence, theft, firearms offences and identity theft are often linked,” says Sergeant Eric McKenzie of the Red Deer RCMP. “Our continuous sharing of intelligence with our policing partners is such an important part of these successes, as we see more and more criminal activity across various jurisdictions.”
34 year old Robert James Martin faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 91(3) – Unauthorized possession of a firearm
· Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of a weapon
· Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless use of a firearm
· Criminal Code 348(1)(e) – Break and enter non-dwelling place X 2
· Criminal Code 351(1) – Possess break-in instruments
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000 X 12
· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· Criminal Code 56(1) – Illegal possession or trafficking in government documents
Martin faces additional charges related to a break-in to a trailer in Sylvan Lake on March 22 in which three firearms and some fishing gear were stolen. Martin made his first appearance in court in Red Deer on April 18 at 9:30 am and will appear again on April 24 at 9:30 am.
22 year old Mitchell Huber faces the following charges on several related files:
· Criminal Code 266 – Assault
· Criminal Code 279(2) – Forcible confinement
· Criminal Code 88(1) – Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
· Criminal Code 91(1) – Unauthorized possession of firearm
· Criminal Code 108(1)(b) – Possession of firearm with tampered serial number
· Criminal Code 92(1) – Knowing possession of unauthorized firearm
· Criminal Code 86(1) – Careless storage of firearm
· Criminal Code 733.1(1) – Fail to comply with probation X 4
Huber made his first appearance in court in Red Deer on April 18 at 9:30 am and will appear in court again on April 21.
36 year old Paul Andrew Woods faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 266 – Assault
· Criminal Code 279(2) – Forcible confinement
Woods made his first appearance in court on April 18 at 9:30 am and will appear in court again on April 21.
RCMP continue to investigate, and further charges may be laid as the investigations proceed. If you have information about any of these investigations, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.