Former Musical Ride member charged in home invasion
An RCMP member who allegedly committed an off-duty home invasion and assault in Tofield was once a member of the force’s famous Musical Ride.
Const. Dane McCarty, a member of Tofield RCMP, was arrested Oct. 29 and charged with offences including housebreaking to commit assault, assault, and two counts of mischief under $5,000.
He made his first appearance in Vegreville provincial court Nov. 5.
RCMP officials would not confirm that McCarty participated in the Musical Ride, but said there is only one person by that name serving on the force.
McCarty, 34, allegedly broke into a home in rural Beaver County and assaulted a man inside at the time, court records show. He is also alleged to have assaulted a woman in the home. The records do not state the relationship between McCarty and the two people.
During the incident, McCarty is also alleged to have done less than $5,000 in damage to drywall in the house. Court documents say he is also accused of breaking the man’s Garmin Vivosport watch.
An RCMP news release said the homeowner and resident restrained McCarty and convinced him to leave. He then allegedly entered the home a second time and continued to assault both people.
“Once more, McCarty was restrained and convinced to leave,” the news release said.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, Alberta’s police watchdog, is not involved in the investigation because McCarty was already charged by police.
“On those circumstances, given that the RCMP had already investigated and charged it was decided that they would maintain conduct of the matter,” executive director Sue Hughson said.
In 2011, the Ontario Farmer newspaper interviewed then 26-year-old McCarty when he was a new member of the 32-member Musical Ride. The interview happened ahead of his first performance in Russell, Ont., near Ottawa.
During the show, mounted officers wearing red serge perform a series of cavalry drills to music.
The article said McCarty had spent much of his policing career in the Yukon, and that he has family in the Ottawa area.
His father, Sgt. Jerry McCarty, was a former member of the ride.
RCMP officials would not confirm McCarty ’s previous postings.
The officer was a spokesperson for the ride on other occasions. In 2013, the Prince George Citizen interviewed the officer ahead of an appearance there. According to the Citizen, McCarty grew up on a farm in Ardrossan, just east of Edmonton.
McCarty is next scheduled to appear in Vegreville provincial court Nov. 19 for an election and plea.
He has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an internal code of conduct investigation, which RCMP said will be conducted regardless of the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Tofield is about 70 km southeast of Edmonton.
Given that the RCMP had already investigated and charged it was decided that they would maintain conduct of the matter.