Innisfail Mounties were called last week to assist in a trio of high-risk takedowns of potentially armed and dangerous criminal suspects.
One of the takedowns involved a suspect from a highly publicized armed robbery in Olds. A second began as an armed home invasion in Penhold that evolved into a pursuit in Red Deer, forcing an administrative lockdown at a school. The third case saw Mounties pull out their weapons on stolen vehicle suspects in Innisfail and finding narcotics and two shotguns ñ one loaded and within reach of the suspects.
ìIt was high risk. One member had his handgun used in the takedown and one member used a shotgun in the takedown to cover off the safety of both our members involved,î said RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hildebrandt of the Innisfail case. ìThat action was entirely warranted for the nature of the offence and when we subsequently found the loaded firearms in the vehicle it felt very justified in doing so.î
The Mounties' drama-filled week began on Jan. 24 with a call from the Olds RCMP to be on the lookout for an armed robber who held up a TD Canada Trust with an apparent gun just after 5 p.m. and made off with $3,134.68. Innisfail RCMP also learned the suspect was also wanted in connection to a Jan. 23 Red Deer liquor store robbery, as well as seven fraud-related offences in Sundre, and was free on bail for allegedly robbing the same Olds financial institution last June.
Hildebrandt said he and three other Mounties were tasked to conduct surveillance at a residence on 39th Street where it was believed the suspect was evading police.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Hildebrandt, assisted by three other Mounties, knocked on the door and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Hildebrandt said a subsequent search of the suspect's vehicle produced articles RCMP now believe were used in connection to the Olds armed robbery.
ìThe vehicle was towed to Olds and Olds RCMP, after securing a search warrant, confirmed the property inside the vehicle was connected to the armed robbery in Olds,î said Hildebrandt.
Rory Alan Jackson, 46, is now facing several new Criminal Code charges, including armed robbery and wearing a mask in connection to the Jan. 24 Olds heist, as well as the seven fraud-related offences from Sundre. No charges have yet been laid in connection to the Red Deer robbery. Jackson, who remains in custody, appeared in Didsbury provincial court on Jan. 29. He will return to court on Feb. 10.
Dangerous weapons seized
Innisfail RCMP were called to their second high-risk situation on 47th Avenue shortly before midnight on Jan. 25.
Hildebrandt said his detachment was asked to check on a stolen older model Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was seen near a residence RCMP believed was connected to drug activity.
ìThe location was suspicious to us. We maintained surveillance of it and as soon as we identified some pedestrian activity connected with that stolen vehicle we initiated the high-risk takedown,î said Hildebrandt.
After the quick but tense takedown, Mounties seized a loaded sawed-off 410-gauge shotgun that was within reach of both occupants. RCMP also seized ammunition, Canadian currency, a bag full of syringes, a digital scale, two cellphones, and a ìsubstantialî quantity of methamphetamine (crystal meth), heroin, cocaine and oxycodone, said Hildebrandt.
He added that a second shotgun was discovered in pieces in the trunk, next to a handsaw. Knives, a collapsible baton and more drugs were later found in the suspects' possession, said Hildebrandt.
ìYou are talking about very serious drug users here,î he said. ìI have an expectation they were in Innisfail for the continuation of their criminal endeavours, that they were there doing drug deals or pursuing debts of some kind and they were obviously in possession of narcotics.î
He said the two men are being held in custody facing charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of a loaded prohibited weapon. Stephen Feaver, 20, who is most recently from Red Deer, is also charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of proceeds of crime.
Brian Palomaki, 41, who is most recently from Sylvan Lake, is also charged with a breach of an undertaking.
High-risk home invasion
Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 27 Innisfail RCMP were dispatched to attend a home invasion in Penhold at a Hawkridge Boulevard residence.
Hildebrandt said two men entered the home armed with a crowbar, handgun, extendable baton and bear spray.
The home was occupied by two residents who faced demands for money said Hildebrandt, adding the culprits committed property damage and made threats of violence.
ìIt all happened in a matter of minutes. As they left the residence the culprits attempted to steal the vehicle that was there and it was not successful,î he said.
Hildebrandt said the two men then fled the scene in their own vehicle and headed into Red Deer.
Red Deer RCMP said on Jan. 27 that five suspects were picked up at a residence in the city following a police operation that included an administrative lockdown of a school.
Hildebrandt said two men were charged in connection to the Penhold home invasion.
Robin Gilroy, 36, of Red Deer is charged with robbery with a firearm, using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and mischief. Hildebrandt said the other accused male, whose identity has not yet been released, has been remanded in custody and court matters are pending.
