n Sept. 20, 2024, at 9 a.m., Smoky Lake RCMP was dispatched to a break and enter in progress on Township Road 600, in Smoky Lake County. It was reported that multiple individuals were smashing in the door to a residence and stealing property.
An officer attended the location and witnessed the suspects leaving the property in two vehicles. Both vehicles tried to evade the officer by turning in different directions. The officer followed one vehicle and continued until it was ditched in a back trail near Township Road 620 and Highway 36. All three individuals from that vehicle attempted to flee on foot. The officer arrested two of the suspects while the third fled on foot into the bush.
Resources were called in to assist, and with the help of Lac La Biche RCMP, St. Paul RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services, Crime Reduction Unit and the police airplane, the third suspect was taken into custody. As well, a search of the vehicle resulted in a firearm being located under the seat.
A 27-year-old individual, a resident of Janvier, Alta., was charged with:
- Break and Enter
- Flight from Police
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited
- Resist peace officer
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Unauthorized possession firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing it was unauthorized
- Possession of firearm in motor vehicle
- Fail to comply with order
After a judicial interim release hearing, the 27-year-old individual remanded into custody.
A 21-year-old individual, a resident of Janvier, had multiple warrants from Wood Buffalo, Alta., and Edmonton and was released for a future court date.
The third suspect was released without charges. The investigation continues into the identity of the occupants of the second suspect vehicle.