(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

costello

Accused in Bower mall parking lot robbery sentenced to house arrest

Aug 20, 2025 | 9:16 AM

The man involved in an armed robbery in the parking lot of Red Deer’s Bower Place Shopping Centre in spring 2024 has been sentenced.

In a Red Deer courtroom this month, Caleb Francis Costello, now 38, was given a conditional sentence and firearm prohibition.

According to an account from RCMP at the time, April 25, 2024, it was just before 4 p.m. that day when they received a report that a 65-year-old woman had been approached and victimized by two people.

Statements received by RCMP indicated that two people, one male and one female, unknown to the victim, forced their way into the victim’s vehicle. It was said the vehicle was driven a short distance with all three inside, before the victim stopped the car and fled.

It was alleged that in the course of all that happening, a firearm was pointed at the victim and the suspects demanded $100.

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After the vehicle stopped, the suspects also fled on foot, police said.

About eight minutes later, RCMP located a suspect matching the description given, and recovered the victim’s identification and credit card.

The victim was otherwise unharmed.

The female suspect in this case eventually had charges against her ruled out.

Costello, meantime, had a trial earlier this year.

His conditional sentence primarily includes house arrest, as well as a six-month curfew of 10 p.m to 6 a.m., with strict conditions about exceptions in terms of where he can be, such as attending the hospital to visit his mother on certain dates, or voting. He also must attend counselling for alcohol/drug abuse, and must not be in possession of any weapon or firearm. There’s also a no contact order.

Additional court cases involving Costello also wrapped up in recent memory.

One is based in Okotoks, related to obstruction of a peace officer and drug possession at/near Foothills County in July 2023. On that file, he was convicted on the obstruction charge, plus one for possession of a controlled substance, but served no extra time after having spent 40 days in custody.

Two others, based in Red Deer from October and November 2023, related to obstruction of a peace officer and failure to attend court, respectively, saw Costello serve 81 days in jail. He was sentenced July 2024 and had already served the time.