In an effort to curb vehicle thefts, Red Deer RCMP conducted a Tactical Response to Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) project from June 7 to 10, 2022 in Red Deer. Members of the Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) were joined by members from the Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds and Innisfail detachments, the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Police Dog Services (PDS) and also utilized RCMP Air Services to conduct proactive and targeted vehicle theft enforcement.
On June 7, 2022, David Gallinger (28) of Red Deer was located operating a vehicle with a stolen licence plate. Due to Gallinger’s erratic driving, the RCMP Air Service maintained a visual on the vehicle. The suspect returned to his residence, where members arrested Gallinger without incident. Gallinger has been charged with:
- Possession of Stolen Property under $5,000,
- Driving while unauthorized
- Driving a motor vehicle without certificate registration
- Driving an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway
Gallinger was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Red Deer Provincial Court on Aug. 9, 2022. Red Deer RCMP continue to investigate other related incidents involving this vehicle.
On June 9, around 3:30 p.m. Harley Penney (23) of Red Deer was located operating a vehicle with a stolen licence plate. Penney, who had 22 outstanding warrants for his arrest, was taken into custody by the Emergency Response Team (ERT) without incident. The subsequent investigation lead to the RCMP locating the following items:
- Two loaded guns,
- 77.9 g of methamphetamine
- 100 mL of GHB
- Modified and/or restricted magazines,
- Drug paraphernalia
- $800 in Canadian currency
Penney has been charged with:
- Possession for the purposes of trafficking
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon
- Possession of a restricted/prohibited device (x2)
- Possess firearms without being the holder of a licence (x2)
- Unsafe storage of a firearm (x2)
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (x2)
- Knowingly possess a firearm without a licence
- Fail to comply with a release order (x2)
Penney was held for a Judicial Interim Release hearing and was subsequently remanded into custody. Penney is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on June 16, 2022.
“Our Crime Reduction Team continues to see success from strategic operations, such as TRAP, designed to target criminals while ensuring public safety,” says Superintendent Holly Glassford of the Red Deer RCMP. “The ability to have an increased police presence and the use of a helicopter assists in our priority to apprehend repeat offenders of motor vehicle theft.”
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File #2022-772830
#2022-761948
