2 women forced to jump out of suspicious vehicles in Red Deer

CALGARY- A pair of close calls in Red Deer have prompted RCMP to issue a warning about the dangers of accepting rides from strangers.

Just before 3 a.m. on Friday, a woman leaving a bar called Billy Bob’s got into what appeared to be a legitimate taxi van. However, the male driver then drove off in the wrong direction, before requesting sex.

When the woman tried to escape by jumping out of the van, the suspect tried to grab her. Fortunately the victim got out, and managed to call RCMP.

Then around 10 p.m. on Sunday, a man started chatting with a woman leaving Billy Bob’s, telling her they had mutual friends and were heading to the same place. She agreed to get a ride from him, but once she got inside the man became aggressive. The victim managed to jump out at a stop light.

The suspect in the first case is described as about 30 years old with a dark complexion. He was clean shaven with short black hair and wearing a dark-coloured, collared shirt. He also spoke with an accent. The van was green, and looked like a taxi other than not having a business name decaled on it.

The suspect in the second incident is described as white, 55 to 60-years-old, about 6’ tall with a medium build. He had short grey hair and was driving a newer model white Ford F350 truck.

RCMp are asking anyone with information to contact them, and remind people to be cautious when getting into vehicles with people they don’t know.

“Always make sure when you do ask for a taxi cab that you notice if they have a business licence,” suggests Cpl. Sarah Knelsen from RCMP. “Every cab in Red Deer is marked with the actual cab company or agency that they work for, so ensure prior to getting in that these decals are on the vehicle.”

RCMP don’t believe the incidents are related.