The Rimbey RCMP responded to 84 calls for service and lived up to its “Wild West” reputation in some cases. During these last two weeks, police from Rimbey responded to a bank robbery, a drive by shooting complaint, serious collisions and met some folks who thought they could outwit an officer the old fashioned way...by lying.
Police arrested several wanted persons in Rimbey. In total, there were four people arrested and taken to jail. One wanted person was speeding on Highway 20 with a friend. When the RCMP officer turned around to stop the violator, he was observed pulling over, jumping out of the driver’s seat and running around to the passenger’s seat. When the officer inquired about the acrobatics the passenger provided a false name to the officer. After the inquisitive Mountie did some more digging he found out the man was lying about his name to avoid being arrested for his outstanding warrants. He was also a disqualified driver. The man went straight to jail. In another case, an officer was watching for motorists not stopping for the 4-way stop sign in Rimbey during the early morning hours. The officer was only set up at the 4-way stop sign at 6:00 am for a few moments when he observed a truck blow right through the intersection. The driver was also found to be wanted and was arrested. In one final case, Bluffton resident Lee Smith was again arrested for breaching his release conditions imposed by the Court as a result of two impaired driving convictions he received last month. Smith is very well known to police and has been remanded in jail until his next Court appearance on May 6th in Rimbey.
Domestic disputes resulted in a 36 year old man from Sylvan Lake being arrested and charged with Uttering Death Threats to his ex-spouse. In another case, a woman has been allegedly assaulting her husband. This case is still under investigation and charges pending. Police also involved Child Welfare workers in a case where a mother has been smoking marihuana in the presence of her small child.
On April 8th, an officer was investigating a disturbance at a local tavern. The responding officer arrested the 27 year old man from Nova Scotia who was intoxicated. During the arrest the accused spit several times at the officer and threatened to kill him. The officer provided the man with a free ride by Buffalo Cab to Sylvan Lake where he was lodged in cells. He was charged accordingly and will appear in court on June 3rd to explain his actions to the judge at that time.
Police arrested an impaired driver in the early morning hours on April 9th in Rimbey. The accused, a 22 year old man from British Columbia was stopped for drunk driving. He was found to be in possession of cocaine during the arrest. The man has been charged with impaired driving and for possession of narcotics and will appear in Rimbey Court on June 3.
More unlocked vehicles were entered on the night of April 9th. In one case, a GPS and other valuables were stolen in the Gull Lake area by opportunistic thieves. Also, vandals burnt down several unoccupied ice fishing huts on Gull Lake.
Another theft was reported in the Leedale area where a farm yard was entered and a log splitter, a small motorcycle and expensive tools were stolen. The thieves entered the unattended yard where the items were being stored in an unlocked shed. Please lock up your valuables and take the time to document serial numbers and take pictures of rare or priceless items so you have something to show police or your insurance company in the event they ever do go missing. It also helps police prove to the Courts beyond any reasonable doubt that the item was yours and that the thief should not be in possession of it.
On April 9th, another diesel theft occurred at a lease site north east of Rimbey. This crime was done during day time hours by a white male, described as 40-55 years of age, driving an off-white early 90’s Dodge pickup truck with a red canopy. The thief was actually approached by citizens who questioned him about this and he gave them the story that he was hired to move the fuel for the company. Unfortunately, he was a good enough story teller that the witnesses did not think to get a license plate number off the suspect vehicle.
Police were dispatched to a call involving a home that had been shot by what appears to be a high powered rifle. Police seized a bullet in the roof from a single family residence located north west of Rimbey. Thankfully, there were no injuries as a result of the shooting. The matter is still under investigation.
Police recovered a stolen Ford F350 dually that was taken several weeks ago in Rimbey in the bush country outside Drayton Valley. The investigation is continuing in that matter.
On Friday, April 15th, officers quickly responded to an armed robbery at a bank in Eckville in Sylvan Lake Detachment’s area. An unknown masked per son produced a knife shortly after business opening and demanded that a teller turn over all of the money. With the assistance of Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer Rural RCMP Detachments, Red Deer Police Dog Services, a perimeter was established and a search was conducted for an older 1988 Oldsmobile, which was identified by an eyewitness. In very short time, the suspect vehicle was located arriving in south Sylvan Lake and a 31 year old male was arrested as he exited his vehicle. This male was also found to be in possession of the stolen property. Further, the positive identification was made with the assistance of the Red Deer RCMP Forensic Identification Section. The identity of the accused will not be released at this time as the following charges are pending:
a) Robbery - Section 344(b) CC
b) Disguise with Intent - Section 351(2) CC
c) Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose - Section 88 CC
Shortly after the robbery, Rimbey RCMP, EMS and Fire Department responded to a serious collision on Highway 20 at the intersection near Buist Motors. Two Dodge trucks were involved in a “T-bone” crash. EMS transported the passenger from one of the vehicles to the Rimbey Hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries. The drivers were also examined by EMS on scene. One of the drivers has been charged after the investigation revealed he had entered the intersection when unsafe to do so, contrary to the Traffic Safety Act. Alcohol was not a factor in this case.
Police met with Rimbey Town Council and other community groups to discuss current crime trends and resources. Officers have also been working closely with the Gull Lake North Citizens on Patrol who are a very active group of concerned citizens who care deeply for their community. They are having a garage sale on April 30th on Parkland Beach Road from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Lots of great items will be for sale and the money raised goes directly back into the valuable program. Please come out and see what they have and support this non-profit group who volunteer countless hours every year helping keep our community safe.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the local Rimbey RCMP Detachment at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers: Phone: 1-800-222-8477, #8477 on Telus Mobility, *8477 on Rogers AT&T