Three males are now in custody in connection to a break and enter in Leoville where a video store ATM machine was targeted.
A 44-year-old, Garvin Martin, of North Battleford, as well as a 15-year-old who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were both in North Battleford provincial court Friday before Judge Dan O'Hanlon for their first appearances in connection to an Aug. 10 break and enter at the video store housing an ATM machine in Leoville.
Meanwhile a third individual, Gabriel Poundmaker, 19, has been arrested in connection to the Leoville break-in. Poundmaker was wanted for Break and Enter and Theft over $5,000 and Theft Under $5,000. He was encountered by officers on patrol for Yorkton RCMP Saturday, and finally arrested at 9 p.m. that evening. Poundmaker will be in North Battleford provincial court Wednesday to face his charges.
Police allege all three individuals fled the scene in Leoville in a stolen vehicle, and it is alleged a second stolen vehicle was also used in connection to the case.
As well, the individuals are also being charged in connection to two reported break and enters and thefts to the Co-op in Mervin in July. A number of items from that business, including multiple hand and power tools along with ammunition for long barrelled firearms, were recovered after the RCMP in North Battleford executed a search warrant on a residence in North Battleford Aug. 11. In addition, police say five unregistered and unsafely-stored firearms were seized from the residence.
Martin faces two charges of break and enter and theft with respect to the Mervin incident and a theft over $1,000 charge with respect to the Leoville video store incident. He also has been charged with possessing instruments used to break in to the Leoville video store, as well as with stealing a grain truck, possession of a stolen vehicle, two possession of stolen property charges and two firearms-related charges.
The 15-year-old youth was charged with break and enter to the Leoville video store as well as to the Mervin Co-op and another business. He also is charged with having instruments suitable for breaking in, possession of stolen property (automobile), possession of stolen property under $5,000 and a number of other charges including failure to stop the vehicle, resisting a police officer, operating a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner to the public, failure to appear and break of probation.
The Crown opposed both individuals' release during their appearance in court Friday. Both were back in provincial court briefly Monday. Martin will return to court Aug. 24; in the meantime a bail verification report is being prepared.
As for the 15-year-old, Judge O'Hanlon ordered a judicial interim release report to be prepared for his next court appearance Friday at 9:30 a.m. He remains in custody until then.
The RCMP say the investigation is continuing into both these matters and into numerous other thefts of ATMs in the province.
