On Dec. 8, 2023, the Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) located a vehicle which had been stolen on Nov. 16. It was discovered that the licence plate on this vehicle had been stolen from a different vehicle in Red Deer on Nov. 18. 

Police conducted surveillance on the SUV and observed it attend a gas station. Members were not able to safely apprehend the driver, but were able to use the security video from the gas station to identify the driver as Nicholas Wales, a 26 year-old resident of Red Deer.

On Dec. 10, 2023, police recovered the SUV which had been abandoned on the east side of Red Deer.

Wales was arrested on Dec. 14, 2023, and was remanded in custody following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing.  Wales is facing the following charges:

 

•             Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (two counts)

•             Failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking

•             Operating an unregistered vehicle

•             Operating a vehicle with an unauthorized plate

•             Operating a vehicle without insurance

 

Red Deer RCMP CRT are committed to public safety and reducing crime in Red Deer. If you have information regarding this event or any other suspicious or illegal activity within the city of Red Deer please contact 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.