On July 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m., Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) were conducting pro-active patrols in downtown Red Deer, when they observed a known male driving a vehicle while prohibited.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled at a high rate of speed and was actively evading police. RCMP did not pursue the vehicle in consideration of public safety.

Red Deer RCMP CRT continued the investigation, and the vehicle was located a short time later. As a result, 33-year-old Todd Deschambeault, and 19-year-old, Ian Smith, both residents of Red Deer, were arrested and charged.

Deschambeault was charged with the following:

• Careless use of a firearm;

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;

• Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition;

• Possession of firearm with tampered serial number;

• Dangerous operation;

• Operation while prohibited;

• Possession contrary to order (x4);

• Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;

• Possession of prohibited weapon knowing possession is unauthorized;

• Drive uninsured motor vehicle on highway;

• Possession of substance- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Deschambeault was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on July 3, 2026.

Smith was charged with the following:

• Unsafe storage of a firearm;

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;

• Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition;

• Possession of firearm with tampered serial number;

• Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;

• Possession of prohibited weapon knowing possession is unauthorized.

Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Smith was released on conditions. Smith is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on July 29, 2026.

If you have any information regarding crime in Red Deer, please contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.