On July 21, 2026, at 11:26 A.M., Red Deer RCMP responded to a 911 call, reporting a robbery involving a vehicle during a test drive from a dealership.
Police were advised that a male displayed a firearm to an employee near the end of a test drive in Red Deer and was told to get out of the vehicle. The employee exited the vehicle, and the male suspect stole the vehicle, fleeing at a high rate of speed.
Multiple police resources assisted, including Real Time Operation Center (RTOC), Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Red Deer RCMP Drone as First Responder (DFR), Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS), Red Deer RCMP Traffic Services, Ponoka RCMP, and Maskwacis RCMP.
As a result of the police investigation and collaborative efforts, police arrested 33-year-old Nathaniel Spidell, a resident of Red Deer.
Despite the vehicle being driven at speeds up to 165 KM/hour, the vehicle was recovered and no injuries were sustained.
Spidell has been charged with the following:
- Robbery using a firearm/ imitation firearm;
- Possession of identity documents;
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.
Further charges are pending against Spidell under the Traffic Safety Act of Alberta.
Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Spidell was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on July 22, 2026.
If you have any information regarding crime in Red Deer, please contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
