From Red Deer RCMP:

RCMP have charged two men after the abduction of a 48 year old woman the morning of October 17 in Red Deer.

Shortly before 7 am on October 17, Red Deer RCMP responded to a gas station on 39 Street near 40 Avenue after a witness reported seeing a woman possibly being forced into a maroon Chevrolet Avalanche. RCMP were able to quickly identify a possible victim and one possible suspect. The investigation involved detailed and continuous intelligence gathering throughout the day, and Red Deer residents saw police attendance at numerous residences and police checks of a number of vehicles similar to that of the suspect Avalanche. The RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) out of Edmonton arrived to take carriage of the investigation, and the RCMP Emergency Response Team also joined MCU and Red Deer RCMP officers during the intensive search.

Shortly after 3 pm on October 17, RCMP received a public tip regarding the location of the suspect and victim and located them at a south hill residence shortly afterward. RCMP arrested one male suspect and determined that the victim had suffered injuries that did not require hospitalization. RCMP arrested a second male suspect later the same evening. The suspects were known to the victim.

47 year old Ernest Frederick Ward faces the following charges:

  • ·Criminal Code 279(1.1)(b) – Kidnapping
  • ·Criminal Code 279(2) – Forcible confinement
  • ·Criminal Code 266 – Assault
  • ·Criminal Code 271 – Sexual assault
  • ·Criminal Code 264.1(1)(a) – Uttering threat to cause death or bodily harm
  • ·Criminal Code 139(2) – Obstructing justice
  • ·Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with conditions of an undertaking X 2

Ward was remanded to appear in court in Red Deer on October 22 at 9:30 am.

25 year old David Lee Gallinger faces the following charge:

  • ·Criminal Code 279(1.1)(b) – Kidnapping

Gallinger is scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on October 22 at 9:30 am.

As this matter is now before the courts, RCMP will not be commenting further. RCMP thank the public for their assistance and support during this investigation, and ask that the public please respect the privacy of the victim.

 

Original story: https://lacombeonline.com/local/red-deer-rcmp-seek-urgent-assistance-to-locate-48-year-old-aurora-rafer

Last update: https://lacombeonline.com/local/rcmp-looking-for-good-samaritans-in-connection-to-aurora-rafer