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Trials booked for pair charged in forcible confinement, weapons and stolen property investigation

Jun 20, 2017 | 10:38 AM

Trial dates have been scheduled for two of three men charged following a drugs and stolen property bust in north Red Deer earlier this year.

RCMP from Red Deer and Sylvan Lake RCMP, ALERT and the Alberta RCMP Explosive Device Unit were involved in the searches on April 6 and April 13.

The searches came following an investigation into a report of forcible confinement alleged to have taken place in mid-April in Red Deer when a man was held against his will at a residence by several men who were known to him. Police say the investigation evolved to include a search for numerous firearms that had been stolen in a series of break and enters and other property crimes in the area.

The investigation also resulted in further charges being laid with relation to several break and enter files in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer earlier in April. Recovered property included credit and debit cards, cheques and other personal documents from crimes committed in Boyle, Blackfalds and area, Sylvan Lake, Red Deer, Red Deer County and Bonnyville, and included property linked to thefts from numerous businesses in Red Deer and surrounding area.

Red Deer RCMP seized 14 firearms, explosives, thousands of rounds of ammunition and numerous credit and debit cards during a search warrant at a residence in the Normandeau neighbourhood on April 6. Red Deer RCMP then seized two more firearms and a replica firearm during the search warrant at a Highland Green residence on April 13, as well as ammunition and small amounts of what is believed to be fentanyl and several other Schedule I and Schedule II drugs.

Robert James Martin, 34, faces 12 counts of possession of stolen property under $5000 along with several firearms and break and enter-related charges. Martin is scheduled for trial on September 21, 2016 in Red Deer.

Mitchell Huber, 23, faces charges that include assault, forcible confinement, and several firearms offences. He is scheduled for trial on November 20.

Paul Andrew Woods, 36, is due back in court on September 22 to speak to charges of assault and forcible confinement.