Instead of going straight to trial Nov. 8, a preliminary hearing is now set Jan. 10, 2019, for Lyle Robert Vance who faces 54 charges.
Vance appeared in Stettler provincial court via CCTV from the Red Deer Remand Centre July 12. Earlier, a trial was set for Nov. 8. If the preliminary hearing determines there’s enough evidence to go to trial, Vance has elected to be tried by judge and jury.
A preliminary hearing will also be held the same day for Vance’s co-accused Lyle Alden Anderson, 26. Anderson, who was released on bail, didn’t appear in court in person. Instead, defence lawyer Rodney Clark appeared on his behalf.
Vance is charged with everything from unlawful confinement, robbery with a firearm, possession of prohibited weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, failing to stop for police and resisting arrest, to unlawfully being in a dwelling, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, driving while disqualified, careless driving, driving without insurance and breach of probation.
Anderson faces 39 charges including robbery with a firearm, pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawfully being in a dwelling, robbery, intimidation by threats and breach of probation.
Vance and Anderson were arrested by Bashaw RCMP. RCMP Rural Crime Reduction Project and Blackfalds RCMP started several investigations in the tiny hamlet of Mirror, northeast of Red Deer, in January.
Blackfalds RCMP investigated a break-and-enter and assault incident at a hotel in Red Deer’s Gasoline Alley Jan. 31. Vance was charged in connection with this incident and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On Feb. 24 Bashaw RCMP started investigating three robberies against persons and both Anderson and Vance were charged with 21 offences.
RCMP say the two were also involved in a flight from police incident in Sylvan Lake on Feb. 22. The two were charged and arrest warrants issued.
In April Bashaw RCMP asked the newly formed Rural Crime Reduction Project to help them locate and arrest Vance and Anderson after the Bashaw RCMP identified the two as repeat offenders still at large.
On April 16 Ponoka RCMP arrested Anderson without incident.
On April 25 Red Deer RCMP responded to a call about a possible kidnapping from a carjacking incident after a woman was assaulted and her van stolen. All parties involved were known to each other, according to police.
The same day, as a result of the RCMP’s intelligence gathering, the Rural Crime Reduction Project members and Bashaw RCMP converged on the tiny hamlet of Mirror and arrested Vance without incident.
Vance faces charges out of Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Bashaw and Blackfalds.