RED DEER, Alta. – A central Alberta man accused of posing as a police officer to lure a teenager away from her truck is to be tried by judge alone.
Gerard Baumgarte of Red Deer made the choice when he appeared briefly in court. He faces several charges, including impersonating a peace officer, sexual assault and kidnapping.
He was charged after a 16-year-old girl from nearby Penhold disappeared last winter on her way to a store.
She managed to escape and called her family a few days later from a Red Deer shopping mall.
Baumgarte, who is 57, is to be back in court Aug. 14 to enter a plea.
