Crime
Red Deer RCMP arrest numerous prolific offenders in targeted crime hot spots
Red Deer, Alberta – Recent arrests of note by Red Deer RCMP include a number of habitual offenders identified through Pinpoint, the Red Deer RCMP crime reduction strategy; more arrests took place in areas RCMP have identified as crime hot spots and locations where the public have reported active criminal behaviour. RCMP seized significant amounts of drugs, several firearms and a replica firearm during these arrests.
November 25
Shortly before 4 pm on November 25, RCMP on patrol in an area known to be active regarding stolen vehicles conducted a traffic stop and located several larger bags of methamphetamine along with a number of individually packaged smaller bags consistent with drug trafficking. RCMP seized the methamphetamine and more than $1,000 in cash as proceeds of crime.
19 year old Mackenzie Rae Bannister faces the following charges:
· CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking X 2
Bannister was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on November 27 and will appear in court again at 9:30 am.
29 year old Robert Sean Bishop faces the following charges:
· CDSA 5(2) – Possession for the purpose of trafficking X 2
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions
Bishop was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on November 27 and will appear in court again at 9:30 am.
November 25
Shortly after 3:30 pm on November 25, RCMP on patrol in a known crime hot spot located a stolen truck parked at an address that police have flagged for criminal activity through the Red Deer crime reduction strategy, Pinpoint. RCMP arrested the driver without incident and seized a rifle, a shotgun and ammunition. The suspect was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants out of Red Deer at the time of his arrest.
In addition to his outstanding warrants, 33 year old Trevor James Gatzke faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 86(1) – Unsafe storage of firearms
· Criminal Code 91(1) – Unauthorized possession of firearm
· Criminal Code 91(2) – Unauthorized possession of weapon
· Criminal Code 92(2) – Unauthorized possession of weapon while knowing possession was unauthorized
· Criminal Code 94(1) – Possession of firearm/ ammunition in vehicle X 2
· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions X 3
· TSA 53(1)(b) – improper license plate on vehicle
· TSA 54(1)(a) – Drive without insurance
Gatzke was remanded for court in Red Deer on November 28 and will appear in court again on December 14 at 9:30 am.
November 25
Shortly before 7 am on November 25, RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on Metcalf Avenue. RCMP confirmed the vehicle had been stolen out of Red Deer and arrested the occupant without incident. During the arrest, RCMP seized an open bottle of liquor and a pellet gun that the suspect was prohibited by the courts from possessing.
30 year old Cody Alan Feil faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 88(1) – Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
· Criminal Code 117.01(1) – Weapons possession contrary to order
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000 X 2
Feil also faced a number of traffic and GLA charges that have been dealt with; he is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on the criminal charges on November 28 at 9:30 am.
November 20
Shortly after 11 pm on November 20, RCMP on patrol in downtown Red Deer located two prolific male offenders who are well known to police in a stolen truck. During the arrest, RCMP seized cocaine and methamphetamine. The truck had been reported stolen out of Red Deer County in the early morning of November 20.
A 30 year old man faces the following charges:
· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance X 2
· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000 X 2
A 48 year old man faces the following charges:
· CDSA 5(2) – Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking X 2
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions
Their names cannot be released at this time as the charges against them have not yet been sworn before the courts; both accused are scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer at 9:30 am on January 12, 2018.
November 20
On November 20 at 3 pm, Red Deer RCMP located a stolen Dodge Ram at a storage unit in the Kentwood neighbourhood and arrested the driver without incident. The suspect was wanted on a number of outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest. The truck had been reported stolen out of Rimbey when it was left unlocked and running.
40 year old Michael Langille faces a charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000, in addition to his warrants. He was remanded to appear in court on November 22 and is scheduled to appear again on December 6 at 9:30 am.
November 19
At 4:30 pm on November 19, RCMP responded to a report of a stolen SUV parked in a south Red Deer parking lot. On arrival, RCMP arrested a man and a woman without incident; the woman was in possession of stolen property from a store in the area at the time of her arrest. The SUV had been reported stolen out of Red Deer on November 8 after it was left with spare keys inside it. A 43 year old man and a 41 year old woman will face charges of possession of stolen property; their names cannot be released at this time as those charges have not yet been sworn before the courts.
November 18
At approximately 11:30 pm on November 18, RCMP responded to a report of a personal robbery after a man walking home through downtown Red Deer was approached by two men who assaulted him and attempted to rob him. The victim suffered minor bruising in the assault and was able to get away from the suspects. RCMP did not locate the suspects that night during patrols but identified a suspect during the course of the investigation and arrested him on November 24. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was wanted on an outstanding warrant and was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. RCMP continue to search for the second suspect.
48 year old Bryan Wally Kersch faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 463/344(b) – Attempted robbery
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions X 3
· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance
Kersch is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 6 at 9:30 am.
November 18
Shortly before 7:30 pm on November 18, RCMP attended a south Red Deer business in response to a report of shoplifters in custody. The suspects gave RCMP officers false names but police quickly determined their identities and found they were both wanted on numerous outstanding warrants.
33 year old Melissa Caylene White and 38 year old Travis Dwight Lindsey each faced a new charge of obstructing a peace officer (CC 129(a)) as well as their outstanding warrants. White appeared in court in Red Deer on November 20 and has since had her charges dealt with. Lindsey appeared in court in Red Deer on November 21 and is scheduled to appear again on December 5 at 9:30.
November 18
Shortly before 4 pm on November 18, Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of a stolen car that was parked in a parking lot in the Bower neighbourhood. RCMP attended and arrested the two occupants without incident. The car had been reported stolen out of Red Deer on November 15 after it was left with spare keys inside it.
47 year old Joel David Bremner faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000
· Criminal Code 351(1) – Possession of break-in instruments
Bremner was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on November 20 and is scheduled to appear again on November 28 at 9:30 am.
25 year old Christopher Evan Keizer faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000
· Criminal Code 351(1) – Possession of break-in instruments
· Criminal Code 733.1(1) – Fail to comply with probation
· TSA 52(1)(a) – Drive without registration
· TSA 54(1)(a) – Drive without insurance
Keizer was scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on November 22 at 9:30 am. He failed to appear and his charges have now gone to warrant status, along with an additional charge of failing to appear in court.
November 18
Shortly before 2 pm on November 18, Red Deer RCMP were patrolling an identified crime hot spot when they located a stolen SUV being driven by a male suspect. RCMP initiated a traffic stop and followed the SUV for some distance until it was clear the SUV was refusing to stop for police. For public safety reasons, RCMP turned off their lights and slowed down to indicate they would not pursue the suspect vehicle, which fled nonetheless and ran a red light at the intersection of Gaetz Avenue and 55 Street. Several civilian vehicles were able to avoid hitting the stolen SUV but one vehicle struck it. The stolen SUV spun and hit a traffic light then collided with another vehicle, pushing that vehicle into the vehicle behind it. RCMP arrested the driver of the stolen SUV and seized a small amount of methamphetamine from the suspect. City of Red Deer emergency services staff attended and ensured that none of the victims had been injured in the three collisions. The driver of the stolen SUV sustained minor injuries and was treated at hospital then released to police custody. The SUV had been reported stolen out of Red Deer on November 13 after it was left unattended with keys in it.
39 year old Simon John Pelletier was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on November 24 and has since been found guilty of the following charges:
· Criminal Code 249.1(1) – Flight from police
· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· CDSA 4(1) – Possession of Schedule I substance (methamphetamine)
November 18
Shortly after 5 am on November 18, RCMP on patrol in north Red Deer located a truck that had been reported stolen out of Red Deer late the night before. The truck was stopped at the side of the road as it had run out of gas. RCMP arrested the male driver and a female passenger without incident.
29 year old Jesse Joseph Cecka faces one charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000 (CC 355(a)). He appeared in court in Red Deer on November 20 and is scheduled to appear again on December 12 at 9:30 am.
22 year old Julianna Marie Hinz faces one charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000 (CC 355(a)). She is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 8 at 8:30 am.
November 17
Shortly after 4 pm on November 17, RCMP on patrol in an area known to be active regarding stolen vehicles located a stolen car with a license plate that had been stolen separate from the car. RCMP tracked the movement of the car from a distance until it had parked, then boxed it in and arrested the female driver without incident. The car had been reported stolen out of Red Deer on October 25 when it was left running and unattended, and the license plate had been reported stolen out of Innisfail on October 26.
A 28 year old woman faces charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and a number of traffic tickets. Her name cannot be released at this time as the charges have not yet been sworn before the courts. She is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 13.
November 17
At 1 pm on November 17, RCMP on patrol in an area known to be active regarding stolen vehicles located a stolen car with two occupants. RCMP executed a high risk traffic stop and took the occupants into custody.
20 year old Savannah Lee Korth faces a charge of possession of stolen property (CC 354) and is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 4 at 8:30 am.
November 16
At 7:30 pm on November 16, RCMP responded to a report of a break-in in progress at a locked industrial compound on Golden West Avenue. RCMP attended immediately and located the suspect as he was leaving the area after being caught on camera breaking into a holiday trailer in the compound; at the time of his arrest, the suspect was found to be in breach of a number of court-ordered conditions, including a curfew.
35 year old Robert James Martin faces the following charges:
· Criminal Code 348(1)(e) – Break and enter
· Criminal Code 430(4) – Mischief under $5,000
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions X 3
Martin was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on November 21 and is scheduled to appear in court again on December 7 at 9:30 am.
– 30 –
Crime
The Uncomfortable Demographics of Islamist Bloodshed—and Why “Islamophobia” Deflection Increases the Threat
Addressing realities directly is the only path toward protecting communities, confronting extremism, and preventing further loss of life, Canadian national security expert argues.
After attacks by Islamic extremists, a familiar pattern follows. Debate erupts. Commentary and interviews flood the media. Op-eds, narratives, talking points, and competing interpretations proliferate in the immediate aftermath of bloodshed. The brief interval since the Bondi beach attack is no exception.
Many of these responses condemn the violence and call for solidarity between Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as for broader societal unity. Their core message is commendable, and I support it: extremist violence is horrific, societies must stand united, and communities most commonly targeted by Islamic extremists—Jews, Christians, non-Muslim minorities, and moderate Muslims—deserve to live in safety and be protected.
Yet many of these info-space engagements miss the mark or cater to a narrow audience of wonks. A recurring concern is that, at some point, many of these engagements suggest, infer, or outright insinuate that non-Muslims, or predominantly non-Muslim societies, are somehow expected or obligated to interpret these attacks through an Islamic or Muslim-impact lens. This framing is frequently reinforced by a familiar “not a true Muslim” narrative regarding the perpetrators, alongside warnings about the risks of Islamophobia.
These misaligned expectations collide with a number of uncomfortable but unavoidable truths. Extremist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and decentralized attackers with no formal affiliations have repeatedly and explicitly justified their violence through interpretations of Islamic texts and Islamic history. While most Muslims reject these interpretations, it remains equally true that large, dynamic groups of Muslims worldwide do not—and that these groups are well prepared to, and regularly do, use violence to advance their version of Islam.
Islamic extremist movements do not, and did not, emerge in a vacuum. They draw from the broader Islamic context. This fact is observable, persistent, and cannot be wished or washed away, no matter how hard some may try or many may wish otherwise.
Given this reality, it follows that for most non-Muslims—many of whom do not have detailed knowledge of Islam, its internal theological debates, historical divisions, or political evolution—and for a considerable number of Muslims as well, Islamic extremist violence is perceived as connected to Islam as it manifests globally. This perception persists regardless of nuance, disclaimers, or internal distinctions within the faith and among its followers.
THE COST OF DENIAL AND DEFLECTION
Denying or deflecting from these observable connections prevents society from addressing the central issues following an Islamic extremist attack in a Western country: the fatalities and injuries, how the violence is perceived and experienced by surviving victims, how it is experienced and understood by the majority non-Muslim population, how it is interpreted by non-Muslim governments responsible for public safety, and how it is received by allied nations. Worse, refusing to confront these difficult truths—or branding legitimate concerns as Islamophobia—creates a vacuum, one readily filled by extremist voices and adversarial actors eager to poison and pollute the discussion.
Following such attacks, in addition to thinking first of the direct victims, I sympathize with my Muslim family, friends, colleagues, moderate Muslims worldwide, and Muslim victims of Islamic extremism, particularly given that anti-Muslim bigotry is a real problem they face. For Muslim victims of Islamic extremism, that bigotry constitutes a second blow they must endure. Personal sympathy, however, does not translate into an obligation to center Muslim communal concerns when they were not the targets of the attack. Nor does it impose a public obligation or override how societies can, do, or should process and respond to violence directed at them by Islamic extremists.
As it applies to the general public in Western nations, the principle is simple: there should be no expectation that non-Muslims consider Islam, inter-Islamic identity conflicts, internal theological disputes, or the broader impact on the global Muslim community, when responding to attacks carried out by Islamic extremists. That is, unless Muslims were the victims, in which case some consideration is appropriate.
Quite bluntly, non-Muslims are not required to do so and are entitled to reject and push back against any suggestion that they must or should. Pointedly, they are not Muslims, a fact far too many now seem to overlook.
The arguments presented here will be uncomfortable for many and will likely provoke polarizing discussion. Nonetheless, they articulate an important, human-centered position regarding how Islamic extremist attacks in Western nations are commonly interpreted and understood by non-Muslim majority populations.
Non-Muslims are free to give no consideration to Muslim interests at any time, particularly following an Islamic extremist attack against non-Muslims in a non-Muslim country. The sole exception is that governments retain an obligation to ensure the safety and protection of their Muslim citizens, who face real and heightened threats during these periods. This does not suggest that non-Muslims cannot consider Muslim community members; it simply affirms that they are under no obligation to do so.
The impulse for Muslims to distance moderate Muslims and Islam from extremist attacks—such as the targeting of Jews in Australia or foiled Christmas market plots in Poland and Germany—is understandable.
Muslims do so to protect their own interests, the interests of fellow Muslims, and the reputation of Islam itself. Yet this impulse frequently collapses into the “No True Scotsman” fallacy, pointing to peaceful Muslims as the baseline while asserting that the attackers were not “true Muslims.”
Such claims oversimplify the reality of Islam as it manifests globally and fail to address the legitimate political and social consequences that follow Islamic extremist attacks in predominantly non-Muslim Western societies. These deflections frequently produce unintended effects, such as strengthening anti-Muslim extremist sentiments and movements and undermining efforts to diminish them.
The central issue for public discourse after an Islamic extremist attack is not debating whether the perpetrators were “true” or “false” Muslims, nor assessing downstream impacts on Muslim communities—unless they were the targets.
It is a societal effort to understand why radical ideologies continue to emerge from varying—yet often overlapping—interpretations of Islam, how political struggles within the Muslim world contribute to these ideologies, and how non-Muslim-majority Western countries can realistically and effectively confront and mitigate threats related to Islamic extremism before the next attack occurs and more non-Muslim and Muslim lives are lost.
Addressing these realities directly is the only path toward protecting communities, confronting extremism, and preventing further loss of life.
Ian Bradbury, a global security specialist with over 25 years experience, transitioned from Defence and NatSec roles to found Terra Nova Strategic Management (2009) and 1NAEF (2014). A TEDx, UN, NATO, and Parliament speaker, he focuses on terrorism, hybrid warfare, conflict aid, stability operations, and geo-strategy.
The Bureau is a reader-supported publication.
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From The Center Square
By
Rhode Island officials said the suspected gunman in the Brown University mass shooting has been found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, more than 50 miles away in a storage facility in southern New Hampshire.
The shooter was identified as Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente, a 48-year-old Brown student and Portuguese national. Neves-Valente was found dead with a satchel containing two firearms inside in the storage facility, authorities said.
“He took his own life tonight,” Providence police chief Oscar Perez said at a press conference, noting that local, state and federal law officials spent days poring over video evidence, license plate data and hundreds of investigative tips in pursuit of the suspect.
Perez credited cooperation between federal state and local law enforcement officials, as well as the Providence community, which he said provided the video evidence needed to help authorities crack the case.
“The community stepped up,” he said. “It was all about groundwork, public assistance, interviews with individuals, and good old fashioned policing.”
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the “person of interest” identified by private videos contacted authorities on Wednesday and provided information that led to his whereabouts.
“He blew the case right open, blew it open,” Neronha said. “That person led us to the car, which led us to the name, which led us to the photograph of that individual.”
“And that’s how these cases sometimes go,” he said. “You can feel like you’re not making a lot of progress. You can feel like you’re chasing leaves and they don’t work out. But the team keeps going.”
The discovery of the suspect’s body caps an intense six-day manhunt spanning several New England states, which put communities from Providence to southern New Hampshire on edge.
“We got him,” FBI special agent in charge for Boston Ted Docks said at Thursday night’s briefing. “Even though the suspect was found dead tonight our work is not done. There are many questions that need to be answered.”
He said the FBI deployed around 500 agents to assist local authorities in the investigation, in addition to offering a $50,000 reward. He says that officials are still looking into the suspect’s motive.
Two students were killed and nine others were injured in the Brown University shooting Saturday, which happened when an undetected gunman entered the Barus and Holley building on campus, where students were taking exams before the holiday break. Providence authorities briefly detained a person in the shooting earlier in the week, but then released them.
Investigators said they are also examining the possibility that the Brown case is connected to the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor in his hometown.
An unidentified gunman shot MIT professor Nuno Loureiro multiple times inside his home in Brookline, about 50 miles north of Providence, according to authorities. He died at a local hospital on Tuesday.
Leah Foley, U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, was expected to hold a news briefing late Thursday night to discuss the connection with the MIT shooting.
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