Red Deer RCMP have laid charges and recovered stolen vehicles following two investigations.
On Jan. 21, 2026, shortly after 12 p.m., Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) observed a vehicle fail to stop at a red light. Investigation determined the vehicle had been previously reported stolen from the Inglewood neighbourhood in Red Deer earlier that same day. With the assistance of Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and Alberta RCMP Air Services, police attempted to stop the vehicle. A tire deflation device was used and the driver fled on foot. Following a short foot chase, police arrested the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle.
William Thomas, a 33 year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with a total of 14 charges, including:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Operate a conveyance while impaired
- Operate a conveyance dangerous to the public
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited
- Possession of tobacco products not marked for tax-paid sale
Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) Hearing, Thomas was remanded into custody to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on Feb. 12, 2026.
During the investigation, Red Deer RCMP CRT officers observed a second vehicle known to have been reported stolen overnight in Red Deer. With the assistance of the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), police stopped the vehicle and arrested the two occupants.
The driver was identified as 23 year-old Red Deer resident Cole Corbett. He has been charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance
- Fail to comply with a probation order
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited
- Drive motor vehicle without insurance.
Corbett was held for a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) Hearing and remanded into custody to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on Jan. 26, 2026.
The passenger, 26 year-old Shaylene Taberner, also a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.
Following a JIR, Taberner was released from custody with conditions, scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on Feb. 26, 2026.
Red Deer RCMP are committed to community safety and remind residents not to leave running vehicles unlocked. Throughout the month of February, Red Deer RCMP will be participating in Operation Cold Start which is a provincial education campaign to bring awareness to drivers in Alberta around warm-up thefts related to vehicle theft. For more information about Operation Cold Start or to learn more about vehicle theft prevention, follow Alberta RCMP on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.
