Update: Outlaw Bikers Arrested in Red Deer Drug Investigation (police photos)

From ALERT

Members of a Red Deer outlaw motorcycle club have been charged with drug trafficking offences following a lengthy ALERT investigation.

Project Rocker was a two-year investigation by ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime team into the suspected drug trafficking activities of the Syndicate outlaw motorcycle club. Syndicate is a support club of the Hells Angels. Project Rocker concluded on April 30, 2019, after three suspects were arrested. An estimated $350,000 worth of drugs was seized, along with firearms, motorcycles, and cash.

Three Red Deer homes were searched and the following items were seized:

3 kilograms of cocaine;
9 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;
2.8 kilograms of cannabis;
a handgun;
an SKS rifle;
4 vehicles; and
$78,794 cash proceeds of crime.

ALERT alleges that members of the club were involved in an extensive drug trafficking network that operated in the Red Deer area. Casey Chapin and Joel Befus are both full patch members of the support club and have been charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, along with a range of other offences. Bailey Chapin, a 29-year-old woman, was also charged.

Support clubs are typically utilized to carry out lower-level dirty work for the Hells Angels, such as drug trafficking and expanding territory to secondary markets. The Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels is based in Red Deer.

Project Rocker utilized a number of police investigative techniques and strategies, with the investigation beginning in April 2017. ALERT received assistance from Red Deer RCMP, Innisfail RCMP, and Alberta Sheriffs surveillance team.

Casey Chapin, 33, is charged with:

conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance;
possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;
money laundering;
possession of proceeds of crime;
possession of proceeds of crime for the purpose of trafficking; and
six firearms-related offences.

Joel Befus, 32, is charged with:

conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance; and
possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Bailey Chapin, 29, is charged with:

possession of proceeds of crime; and
five firearms-related offences.

Both Casey and Bailey Chapin were released on bail after their initial court appearances. Befus was also released on bail with numerous conditions.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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Crime

Update 3: Police arrest 2 suspects in shooting at Parkland Mall

Published on July 8, 2020

Todayville

July 8, 2020

Red Deer RCMP respond to shooting – Update #3 – Suspects Arrested

Yesterday two suspects connected to the shooting at Parkland Mall on June 30 were arrested.

Thirty-one-year-old Casey Cousins was arrested in Calgary with the assistance of Calgary Police Service. Twenty-three-year-old Jacob Doubt was arrested in Vanderhoof, BC with the assistance of BC RCMP. Both Cousins and Doubt are from Calgary.

Cousins and Doubt each face charges including attempted murder with a firearm, multiple firearms related charges, possession of a stolen vehicle, and failing to comply with release orders.

Red Deer RCMP are still working to identify other individuals that may have been involved.

If you have any information in relation to this incident, please contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you want 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.

———-

June 29, 2020

Red Deer RCMP respond to shooting – Update #2 6:45 PM

Red Deer, Alta. – The vehicle connected to this morning’s shooting at Parkland Mall has been located in Calgary and was seized by Calgary Police Service. The suspects remain at large.16

More information to come.

Update Monday 3:41 PM

Red Deer RCMP respond to shooting – Update #1

Red Deer RCMP continue to search for the vehicle and suspects connected to this morning’s shooting at Parkland Mall.

RCMP believe this vehicle was stolen out of Blackfalds on June 25, and police would like to clarify that it is a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, white with black rims and tinted windows and tail lights. Another photo is attached.

The shooting appears to be targeted and was not random.

Red Deer RCMP respond to shooting

Red Deer, Alta. – At 11:32 a.m. this morning, Red Deer RCMP responded to a shooting that happened outside Parkland Mall.

One male was injured and was transported to hospital.

RCMP are looking for the suspects who are believed to be driving a stolen 2016 white Jeep Cherokee with black rims. Photo included. There appears to be three or four males in the vehicle.

If you see this vehicle you are asked to call 9-1-1.

Alberta

Alberta RCMP Officer attacked with own baton

Published on July 8, 2020

Todayville

From Cold Lake RCMP

Cold Lake RCMP officer recovering after aggravated assault

A 44-year-old male is in custody in Cold Lake following yesterday’s violent attack on the RCMP officer trying to effect his arrest.

At 5:30 p.m., Cold Lake RCMP located a stolen vehicle in the Walmart parking lot and the responding officer made an effort to deal with the vehicle and arrest the male who was believed to be responsible. The male allegedly assaulted the RCMP member by punching the member in the head. The RCMP member’s baton was taken by the male and the member was struck in the head numerous times with the baton.

The male fled on foot with the RCMP baton. The male smashed the window of a different, occupied vehicle in an unsuccessful attempt to steal it. He then threatened another driver with a knife and the baton and fled southbound on Highway 28 in the newly stolen Trailblazer.

Cold Lake RCMP initiated a pursuit and managed to cause the stolen Trailblazer to become disabled. The male was arrested on scene without further incident. The RCMP baton was recovered in the vehicle.

The RCMP member has been treated at the hospital for non life-threatening, but serious injuries and is recovering at home.

The male remains in police custody and will be facing charges as this investigation continues. An update will be provided when available.

“I want to thank the community members who came forward to assist our RCMP member and to provide valuable witness evidence in relation to this terrible incident” says Sergeant Ryan Howrish of the Cold Lake RCMP. “An incident like this highlights the unpredictable and dangerous situations we face on a daily basis.”