Red Deer RCMP have issued a Canada-wide warrant for 45 year old Rene (Rennie) Joseph Drake after identifying him as the man who posed as a Walmart manager on October 29 in order to defraud a Red Deer woman. Drake is unlawfully at large after missing a parole meeting and faces the following charges:
- Criminal Code 380 (1)(b) – Fraud under $5,000
- Criminal Code 362(1)(a) – False pretences
- Criminal Code 145(1)(b) – Being unlawfully at large
Drake is described as:
- Aboriginal
- 45 years old
- 5’9” tall
- 200 lbs
- Black hair
- Brown eyes
Please see attached photo of Rene Drake.
RCMP do not believe Drake poses a danger to the public, but citizens are advised not to approach him if he is seen. Instead, please contact Red Deer RCMP immediately at 403.343.5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or report it online at http://www.tipsubmit.com.
Red Deer RCMP warn public of recent fraud incident
Shortly before 2:00 pm on October 29th, Red Deer RCMP received a report of a lady having her debit card taken and cash withdrawn from her account fraudulently.
A senior was loading her groceries into her vehicle at a local business when a well-dressed man approached her identifying himself as the store manager. He told her that there had been a problem with her debit card and asked her for the card telling her he would be right back. When the man did not come back, the senior went into the store to look for him. She was told by an employee that she was the victim of a fraud and recommended she go to her bank immediately. By the time the senior got to her bank, there had been several withdrawals made.
Police believe the suspect watched the senior enter her PIN number and then used the claim to be the “manager” to get the debit card from her.
Police are reminding people to guard their PIN, also, a legitimate business person will never ask you to give up your debit card.
RCMP encourage you to protect yourself from fraud by learning how to recognize it. Police further urge you to take the time to identify the people in your life who may be vulnerable to the stories spun by scammers, educate them about these scams and help them develop responses to persistent, sometimes bullying people. You may also want to encourage the vulnerable people in your life to lower their daily withdrawal limit at their bank. Helpful information on common scams and ways to protect yourself can be found at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying or locating the person responsible for this crime is asked to call Red Deer RCMP at 403.343.5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.