ROSETOWN – Update Aug 25: RCMP arrested three men after executing a search warrant at a home at 708 Herkimer Street in Rosetown at about 6 a.m. on Aug. 23.
Brandon Hipfner, 28, Andrew Ek, 31, and Jaiden Rosen, 23, were arrested. All three were charged with attempted murder while using a prohibited firearm, discharging a firearm with intent, two counts of possession of a a restricted firearm with ammunition, unsafe storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of firearm with a serial number that has been altered, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Ek was additionally charged with possession of weapons (firearm and a taser) contrary to an order. Hipfner was additionally charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. A woman was released without charges.
During the search, officers located and seized a sawed-off shotgun, a sawed-off rifle, a large amount of ammunition, imitation firearms, hash packaged for sale, illicit cannabis, scales and packaging material.
Rosetown RCMP, along with officers from the North Battleford and Moose Jaw RCMP Crime Reduction Teams, the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team and Combined Traffic Services Section (CTSS), worked together. Saskatoon RCMP General Investigation Section and the Saskatchewan RCMP Trafficking Response Team in Saskatoon also assisted.
Original story: An RCMP tactical unit raided a small white house at 708 Herkimer Street in Rosetown early Wednesday morning in what RCMP called an ongoing investigation.
On Aug. 23, shortly after 6 a.m., Sask. RCMP media relations issued a statement saying there was currently an increased police presence on the 700 block of Herkimer Street in Rosetown but there was no increased risk to public safety identified.
Neighbours told SASKTODAY.ca that at about 6 a.m. they saw the RCMP tactical armoured vehicle and heard officers on what they described as a blow horn ordering residents inside to “come out with hands up.” Other neighbours said they could hear RCMP calling out three different names to come out of the house.
RCMP officers with SERT (Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team) on their vest could be seen at the house. SERT consists of Saskatchewan RCMP's Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), as well as the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT). STRT is a specialized intelligence-led enforcement team that targets gang-related criminal activity entering the province through trafficking corridors. STRT addresses illegal weapons, drugs and human trafficking. The RCMP CRT teams aim to reduce gang activity and have the ability to react fast. The RCMP WEST teams target high-profile offenders with outstanding warrants. SERT helps Saskatchewan RCMP continue to fulfill its mandate as the province's police force – keeping Sask. communities safe.
There were also numerous marked RCMP vehicles at the back of the house, along the side, and in front. Through gaps in the fence, RCMP officers could be seen in the back yard of the house.
The elderly couple, who are neighbours to the raided house, said they believe that a man and woman live at the older house, but added that they weren’t sure if it was a man and his wife, or a man and his sister or mother. They said that there are always a lot of people coming and going at all hours of the night, and the people often go to the house, leave, and then go back 15 to 20 minutes later.
The couple said that the people have lived in the house for about two-and-a-half years, stick to themselves, and don’t bother any neighbours.
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