RCMP RELEASE – June 16th, 2021
Grande Prairie RCMP deploy bait vehicle resulting in three charged
Grande Prairie, Alta. – Grande Prairie RCMP are warning would be criminals if you steal a vehicle, or enter it to steal items inside, it may be a “bait vehicle.”
Grande Prairie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit with assistance from Grande Prairie Rural and Grande Prairie General Duty officers recently completed a four-week operation with the “bait vehicle.” As property crime is a policing priority, the Grande Prairie RCMP has been placing a “bait vehicle” in strategic locations based on information supplied by crime analysts. The location and type of vehicle will not be identified in an effort to maintain the purpose of this vehicle. The RCMP is advising the public of this initiative in an effort to deter thefts from and of motor vehicles.
The Grande Prairie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit in conjunction with Alberta RCMP Auto Theft Unit are taking a unique approach by utilizing this “bait vehicle”. This initiative demonstrates a committed partnership with the Grande Prairie community in combating this type of property crime which ultimately has far reaching effects. This device is monitored by the RCMP and when persons are located within the stolen vehicle, they will be arrested and charged accordingly.
Three individuals were arrested and charged as a result of the operation.
Allan Cloutier (37) of Grande Prairie, Chad Mitchell (33) of Valleyview, and Cheynee Mitchell (26) of Grande Prairie, have been charged with:
- Theft of other motor vehicle
- Theft under $5000
Mitchell has also been charged with Failing to Comply with Conditions x 5. Following judicial hearings Cloutier and Mitchell were released from custody to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court June 16, 2021. Mitchell was remanded into custody to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on July 12, 2021.
Grande Prairie RCMP remains fully committed in building safer communities by working in partnership with our community, as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal. The Grande Prairie RCMP would like to thank all the businesses and persons that assisted police during this operation.
