RCMP briefs from around the province
Red Deer
Red Deer RCMP have charged a man with attempted murder after he broke into a home and assaulted the 53-year-old resident.
Police report that in the early hours of Dec. 3, they responded to a 911 call from a woman who woke to find a man in her home. The suspect had broken in through the back door; he is alleged to have assaulted her repeatedly as she attempted to get him out of the house. During the struggle, she was able to call 911.
Police arrested the man after surrounding the house, and him exiting. The victim and the suspect were not known to each other, and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
———
Wetaskiwin
A 19-year-old man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene after being hit by a train in Wetaskiwin on Dec. 2.
RCMP report that they were called to the scene at approximately 4:46 a.m., for a pedestrian vs. train collision near 40th Avenue and 49th Street in Wetaskiwin. A lone male victim was located laying face down on the east side of tracks with severe injuries. The train was headed northbound when the incident occurred, and the matter remains under investigation.
———
Red Deer
Red Deer RCMP have charged a 25year-old man after seizing firearms and counterfeit currency during a stolen vehicle investigation.
The arrest was made on Oct. 19, when police located a stolen vehicle that had fled from police on several occasions and been involved in a number of criminal files. The arrest happened shortly before 6:30 on Oct. 19, with the driver attempting to evade police, colliding with a parked vehicle, then surrendering. Officers also pursued a man and women into an apartment building after they fled the vehicle on foot. RCMP did not locate the two passengers but seized a shotgun that had been abandoned in the stairwell.
RCMP seized two more shotguns from the recovered Civic, one of which was loaded, and numerous rounds of ammunition. Police also seized 37 counterfeit Canadian $100 bills and 12 counterfeit Canadian $20 bills from the stolen car. The counterfeit currency looks like Canadian polymer bills but is printed on paper and each bill has Chinese characters printed on it. Similar bills have been seized by numerous police departments across Canada in recent months but this is the first seizure of counterfeits with the Chinese characters in Red Deer. In this seizure, the 20s have pink characters and the 100s have white characters.
———
St. Paul
RCMP are investigating after children were offered candy by a stranger in a vehicle on Nov. 23.
Police report that on Nov. 23, two children were walking home from school between 3-3:45 p.m., and were approached by a man driving a white car on Lakeshore Drive. The man allegedly rolled down his window, asked the children if they wanted candy, and then drove off after they did not reply back.
The children advised their parents and were not harmed. Police were contacted a short time later and initiated an investigation but the vehicle was not located in the area.
———
Fort McMurray
RCMP are warning residents to be cautious of internet scams, when on Nov. 29 the Wood Buffalo RCMP received several reports of a concerning Facebook account, falsely representing the RCMP. This scam involves one or several persons who sent out messages representing the RCMP. The Wood Buffalo RCMP would like to reassure citizens that these are false messages, and are not associated to the RCMP. When the Wood Buffalo RCMP need to send a message to the public, they will send out a media release.
———
Strathcona County
Strathcona County RCMP are presently investigating a large number of theft of mail incidents that have occurred at various locations throughout Strathcona County during the past week. Police report that the thefts involve small parcels and cards, along with general mail being stolen from compartments in community mailboxes located throughout rural Strathcona County.
To reduce the chances of mail theft, police are reminding residents to pick up mail promptly, and not leave it in the mailbox overnight. If planning a holiday, have someone retrieve your mail on a daily basis or have Canada Post hold your mail until you return. Check the physical security of your mailbox to ensure there are no gaps or damage, and if you see a damaged or overturned mailbox, contact Canada Post to report. Do not send cash or cheques in the mail.