Community Safety Alert: Red Deer RCMP Recover Stolen Guitar After Downtown Break‑In
Overview of the Incident
In the early morning hours of Feb. 13, 2026, officers from the Red Deer RCMP responded to a reported break and enter at a commercial business in downtown Red Deer, Alberta. Police arrived within minutes and confirmed that the premises had been forcibly entered, with significant damage to the front entrance and interior doors.
Several items were reported stolen from the business, including eight guitar foot pedals and a distinctive guitar with unique markings. Later that same day, investigators located the stolen guitar and pedals being advertised for sale online, which led to search warrants being executed on a vehicle and a residence in the Riverside Meadows neighbourhood of Red Deer. All stolen items from the break and enter were successfully recovered.
Official RCMP Details
According to the official release from the Red Deer RCMP, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2026 after a report of a break and enter at a downtown commercial location. On arrival, police found:
- Broken glass at the front entrance of the business
- Additional damage to interior doors within the building
- No suspects located inside the premises at the time of the police search
Following the initial response, staff confirmed that several items had been stolen, including:
- Eight (8) guitar foot pedals
- A guitar with unique markings (visually distinctive instrument)
Later on the same day, police identified what they believed to be the stolen guitar and pedals being offered for sale online. This development led investigators to obtain and execute search warrants on:
- A vehicle linked to the investigation
- A residence in Riverside Meadows in Red Deer, Alberta
As a result of those search warrants, all items stolen during the break and enter were recovered by the RCMP.
Charges and Arrest Warrant
A 57-year-old resident of Red Deer, Alberta has been charged in connection with this investigation. The charges laid are:
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000
The RCMP report that a warrant for arrest has been issued by the court for this individual.
How the Community Can Assist & Report Crime
While the stolen items have been recovered in this case, the RCMP continue to rely on public information to address property crime and related offences in Red Deer. If you have any information regarding criminal activity in the area, you are asked to contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit a tip online at www.P3Tips.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app available through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Residents can also report certain incidents online and access additional RCMP information by downloading the Alberta RCMP app from Apple or Google Play.
CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective
This incident highlights how quickly a commercial break and enter can occur and how stolen goods are often moved or advertised online soon after a crime. For business owners and residents in Red Deer, monitoring local trends in property crime and suspicious activity is an important part of prevention. Our Red Deer Crime Statistics & Safety Report provides additional context on offence patterns and can help community members understand the broader risk environment in the city.
From a safety standpoint, CrimeCanada.ca encourages businesses to review their physical security (such as glass reinforcement, alarms, and video surveillance), maintain clear records and photographs of high-value items like musical instruments, and promptly report any suspicious online listings that appear to feature stolen property. Community vigilance, timely reporting, and cooperation with police are all critical to reducing repeat break and enter incidents and protecting commercial areas across Alberta.
Official Source & Community Safety
This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.
Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.