On Oct. 1, 2024, the Alberta RCMP Community Response Team engaged in a proactive traffic stop in John D'or Prairie with a vehicle that had been suspected of being involved in a recent occurrence in the community. During the police interaction with the occupants of the vehicle, the driver drove into two police cars and attempted to evade police. A pursuit was initiated and the suspect vehicle became disabled in a field south of John D'or Prairie, where five suspects fled on foot.
A sixth occupant was located in the vehicle and was identified and determined to have been the victim of kidnapping that took place immediately prior to the traffic stop. Four suspects were arrested with assistance from Fort Vermillion and John D'or Prairie RCMP Detachments as well as RCMP regional Police Dog Services. A sawed-off shotgun and a replica handgun were seized during the search for the suspects. One suspect remains at large; his identity is known and a warrant for his arrest is being sought.
The victim of the kidnapping was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
A 29-year-old individual, a 21-year-old individual, a 24-year-old individual and a 21-year-old individual, all residents John D'or Prairie, have been charged with the following offences:
- Kidnapping
- Forcible confinement
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Flight from Police Officer
- Failure to stop after accident
- Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle
- Using a firearm in the commission of an offence
- Careless use of a firearm
- Pointing a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose x2
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession knowing it is unauthorized
- Unauthorized possession of firearm in motor vehicle
- Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
- Assault police officer with a weapon
All four suspects were taken before a justice of the peace and were remanded into custody. They are scheduled to appear on Oct. 9, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fahler, Alta.