LOON LAKE — Loon Lake RCMP reports they arrested four people after armed robbery, flight from police and methamphetamine seizure.
On Nov. 19 just after 8:30 a.m., Loon Lake RCMP received reports that two stolen vehicles were heading northbound on Highway 26 towards Loon Lake. RCMP received subsequent reports that the occupants inside one of them were in possession of a firearm and had recently pointed it at an adult man.
Loon Lake RCMP responded, making patrols in the area, and later located a car that matched one of the suspect vehicle descriptions on Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation. Officers activated their emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop. The car swerved to avoid police and fled heading northbound on Highway 21 towards Pierceland. Given the safety risk, officers followed the car. Occupants inside the car threw several items out the car window, including gas cans, stereos, a floor mat, bags and a number of other unknown objects. No damage to the police vehicle was reported.
For safety reasons, a tire deflation device was set up and the car ran it over near the Beaver River Bridge, south of Pierceland on Highway 21, causing two of the car’s tires to deflate, says a news release from the RCMP. A tire fell off the car, but it continued to flee from police at a high rate of speed heading towards, and eventually merging onto, Highway 55. Officers continued to follow, and observed the car cross over into oncoming traffic, nearly hitting another vehicle.
Due to the increased risk to public safety, officers made further attempts to stop the car. The car entered a field, damaging a fence, and then came to a stop. The driver of the car and three passengers exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Shortly after, officers arrested three adult men and an adult woman nearby.
During the subsequent investigation, officers located and seized approximately 195 grams of crystal methamphetamine, ammunition, brass knuckles, a hatchet, and drug trafficking paraphernalia in the car and on the arrested individuals.
As a result of continued investigation, officers determined earlier on Nov. 19, a group of individuals entered a residence on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and assaulted two men inside the residence, pointing a firearm at one of them. No injuries were reported to police.
Resulting from further investigation, a 38-year-old man from Onion Lake is charged with one count, pursuit involved – flight from peace officer; one count, operation while prohibited; one count, dangerous operation of motor vehicle; one count, mischief under $5000; one count, resist/obstruct peace officer; and one count, possession of a firearm when prohibited.
One 34-year-old man from Onion Lake is charged with two counts, resist/obstruct peace officer; three counts, possession of a firearm when prohibited; and two counts, fail to comply with release order condition.
Another 34-year-old man from Onion Lake is charged with one count, resist/obstruct peace officer; two counts, possession of a firearm when prohibited; and two counts, fail to comply with release order condition.
A 21-year-old woman from Thunderchild First Nation is charged with one count, resist/obstruct peace officer; and one count, extortion without firearm.
All charges are under the Criminal Code.
All four were each additionally charged with one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine under Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; one count, being unlawfully in a dwelling house; one count, robbery with a firearm; one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000; and one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, all under Criminal Code.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
The four people involved appeared in Loon Lake Provincial Court on Nov. 21.
Pierceland RCMP, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Police Dog Services, and a conservation officer with the Provincial Protective Services Branch assisted in this investigation.
Loon Lake RCMP continue to investigate.
“If you have information about this incident, contact Loon Lake RCMP by dialling 310-RCMP,” RCMP said in a news release.
Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com
