Rimbey RCMP - The end of 2015 was a busy time for the Rimbey RCMP Detachment. In keeping with the Christmas season, members of the Rimbey RCMP were able to tie a bow on a few files by making arrests and laying charges for a variety of offences including possession of stolen mail and other property under $5000, possession of stolen vehicles, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, weapons offences and impaired driving.
On December 4, a member of the Rimbey detachment stopped a vehicle on Highway 20 for a traffic-related infraction. The driver, thinking he could deceive the officer, provided a false name when asked to identify himself. It took only a few more questions from the member to reveal that the driver had lied about his name.
The 34-year-old driver was arrested for obstructing a police officer by providing a false name. Further investigation located a quantity of a substance believed to be crystal meth inside the vehicle as well as several weapons and stolen property which included identity documents stolen from the Central Alberta area. The Red Deer man was on probation at the time of his arrest and obliged to abide by the condition that he not be in possession of weapons. He was charged with possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose, drug possession, identity fraud, failing to comply with the conditions of his probation and obstruction for lying about his identity. The male was remanded and did not speak to bail. His 24-year-old female passenger from Bashaw was also charged in the incident for drug possession, possession of stolen property, and illegal possession of government documents. She was released with a promise to appear at Provincial Court in Rimbey on Friday, February 5.
On December 7, another man from Red Deer was attempting to use a false name while committing a crime. A local business contacted the Rimbey RCMP to report that a man was trying to trade a stolen vehicle. When the attending officer questioned the individual, he lied about his name. His true identity was discovered in short order and the 25-year-old man was charged with fraud over $5000, possession of stolen property over $5000, obstruction (for lying about his name), and breach of a recognizance. He was remanded into custody and had his first appearance in Provincial Court in Rimbey on Friday, January 22.
On December 9, a 28-year-old man from Alder Flats was driving north on Highway 22 when his pick-up truck crossed into the southbound lane of traffic and collided head on with another truck. Both the drivers were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the northbound vehicle was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. His first court appearance is in Rimbey on Friday, February 5, 2016.
On December 14, local Mounties located 29-year-old Red Deer resident, Ryan Litwyn, who was wanted by police on warrants issued by the Edmonton Police Service and Red Deer RCMP. Upon his arrest, Litwyn attempted to resist police by running away. Unfortunately for him, the RCMP are not only perceptive, but swift of foot. The foot pursuit was brief and Litwyn was apprehended with some assistance from a local resident. A search warrant was executed on Litwyn’s motel room which afforded evidence to support a large number of criminal charges against him and 26-year-old Alyssa Dube of Rimbey. Together, they are charged with over 100 criminal offences including possession of stolen mail, fraudulent use of stolen credit cards and failing to comply with the conditions of a recognizance. Litwyn is also charged with resisting arrest, ID fraud, mischief, uttering a forged document, and possession of stolen property. Their next appearance in Provincial Court in Rimbey was scheduled for Friday, January 22.
On December 29, members of the Rimbey RCMP executed a search warrant on a rural property east of Rimbey as part of an investigation into stolen property and drug-related activities. Gerald Damer, a 41-year-old Rimbey resident, and a 17-year-old youth who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were arrested and charged with property and drug offences. As a result of the search, members recovered stolen firearms, stolen vehicles and other items of stolen property, as well as a quantity of a substance believed to be crystal meth. Both individuals were released from custody on bail with numerous conditions. Damer was scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Rimbey on Friday, January 22.
Not to be outdone by 2015, the New Year started with a couple of productive traffic stops. Just after midnight, while everyone else was singing “auld land syne”, the Mounties were on patrol to make 2016 safe. A vehicle was stopped south of Rimbey for speeding. The 39-year-old male driver from Eckville displayed signs of impairment. He was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and is to appear in Provincial Court in Rimbey on Friday, February 5.
The RCMP partners with community and other government organizations to reduce crime and increase safety for the public. Alberta Parks Enforcement is partnering with local law enforcement to keep the protected areas in the region. Aspen Beach Provincial Park is a protected area on Gull Lake. Conservation Officers continue to issue violation tickets to snowmobiles and OHV’s as motorized access is not permitted. The Provincial Park is intended to preserve the natural habitat and allow recreational activities such as cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Illegal use of the Provincial Park can be reported 24/7 by calling 403-350-5066.