A man accused of forcing an elderly Drumheller woman to withdraw funds from her bank account and then releasing her in a neighboring community had a date set for trial.
Daren Guntel, 48 appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, January 27.
The Mail reported in December that Drumheller RCMP had laid charges of kidnapping, extortion, robbery and break and enter.
It is alleged that on October 18, the police received a complaint from an elderly woman, that in early July, a male forced his way into the home demanding money. She was then forced to attend to a local bank, withdraw a small amount of cash, and drive to a neighbouring community where she was released. The male was known to the victim as he has previously done yard work at her residence.
Guntel was recently arrested in Calgary and appeared in Drumheller court last week via closed circuit television.
He pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for August 25 in Drumheller. He consented to remain in custody.