Three unrelated home invasions in the past two weeks in Red Deer are prompting police to remind folks to keep their doors locked and be wary about opening the door to strangers.
While the three home invasions do not at this time appear to be related, all three of them do appear to have specifically targeted the residence.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27, two men entered a home in Red Deer, produced a handgun and demanded money and other items. The invaders searched the residence and left empty-handed.
The men in this incident are described as about six feet tall, wearing a dark brown trench coat, gloves and a balaclava, and a shorter, five-foot-three tall man of about 150 pounds, also wearing dark clothing and a balaclava. The first man carried a black handgun and had what witnesses described as possibly a french accent. The second man's balaclava had eyes and a nose printed on the fabric.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, four men broke into an apartment carrying baseball bats and a handgun. The men robbed the two occupants of their cell phones, cash, wallets, and a PlayStation 4. They also stole a Chevrolet Silverado truck owned by one of the victims. Both men were assaulted and were taken to hospital to be treated for what police describe as non-serious injuries.
Police said in this incident, all four suspects wore black clothing and toques, had their faces covered by black balaclavas or bandanas. Some of the men were seen leaving in a "sporty-looking four-door car with silver rims and tinted windows," Cpl. Karyn Kay of the Red Deer RCMP said.
The truck was later recovered.
The third home invasion happened shortly after midnight on Thursday, Jan. 5. Police received a complaint about three masked men who had demanded entry into a home, all while carrying baseball bats and a long-barrel firearm.
Once inside, they robbed the occupants of cash, electronics, an accoustic guitar, a white Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, plus other items.
The residence was targeted, though the suspects told the victims they were looking for someone whom they wrongly believed lived there. No one was injured.
The man carrying the shotgun is described as about 6' to 6'2" tall, medium build, wearing a skull face mask, a black jacket and dark jeans. The second man is described as about 5'10" tall with an average build and a scruffy face, wearing all black with a balaclava with red writing on it. The third suspect wore all black.
Anyone with information about these incidents are asked to phone the Red Deer RCMP at 403--343-5575, or anonymously phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).