Youths charged with kidnapping and robbery after incidents at city skate parks

By Al Beeber on September 2, 2021.

Pete Christos, acting inspector for the Criminal Investigations Division, speaks with reporters Wednesday. Herald photo by Al Beeber

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Six people, including four minors, have been arrested and charged after two incidents of violence and threats of violence at city skate parks.
The matters happened during a two-week span at the SLP Skate Park on Mayor Magrath Drive South and a parking lot near the park at Legacy Regional Park.
The Lethbridge Police Service says the first matter occurred Aug. 12 at the SLP park when they received a report of a robbery. The second was on Aug. 25 when police responded to a report of people with weapons in the parking lot at Legacy.
When attending the Legacy situation, police learned a 16-year-old boy had been forced into a vehicle by several other males who demanded information about a youth they were looking for. A pellet gun resembling a real pistol was used to intimidate the teen.
Through an investigation of the Legacy incident, the LPS Crime Suppression Team arrested four males including two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and 18-year-old Royer Sopal Caldera.
All have been charged with kidnapping with a firearm, extortion using a firearm and assault with a weapon. One of the 16-year-olds has also been charged with being disguised with the intent of committing an indictable offence. The identities of the minors can’t be released.
While dealing with this investigation, the CST determined that two of those people including Caldera and a 16-year-old, were involved with the SLP incident. Police identified another 17-year-old and 18-year-old Denis Mehmeti and all four were charged with robbery and intimidation.
All six were released from custody with several conditions after Judicial Interim Release Hearings were held.
Pete Christos, acting inspector for the Criminal Investigations Division of LPS, said Wednesday the age of the charged people is “definitely surprising. These things do happen from time to time, I wouldn’t say it’s rampant in the city but I’m just glad we were able to identify these individuals and hold them accountable.”
Christos said anywhere can be targeted where youth hang out, be it a mall, parking lot or park.
“Later in the evening when things like this can happen; I think that they’re (skateboard parks) safe. I think if a group of individuals want to enjoy the park, by all means go ahead and do that. I can tell you that since we’ve addressed these individuals now that I don’t foresee us having a repeat incident happening,” said Christos.
Police believe the victims of the skateboard incidents weren’t targeted, said Christos.

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