On April 22, 2024, at 5:05 p.m., Smoky Lake RCMP received a report of a break-in in progress on township road 602 near Vilna.
The victims observed three or more armed men come onto their rural residential property and begin to steal items from the outbuildings. The victims observed that the suspects appeared to be armed with long guns. The suspects were able to steal the victim's pickup and flee the area in two vehicles.
Smoky Lake RCMP attended and located both vehicles fleeing the area. An officer attempted to deploy a tire deflation device during which time one of the suspect vehicles swerved towards the officer narrowly missing him and then getting stuck in the ditch. This vehicle was discovered to have been stolen from Cold Lake, Alta., area on March 30,2024. Two suspects then fled from the vehicle. Officers contained the area and coordinated additional resources including officers from St. Paul, Lac La Biche, and Boyle Detachments, the Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, the Emergency Response Team, and a Police Dog.
Ultimately RCMP were successful in locating and arresting one suspect. RCMP have charged a 21-year-old individual, a resident of Saddle Lake, Alta., with:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Assault on peace officer with a weapon;
- Mischief over $5000;
- Possession of property obtained by crime;
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- Flight from police.
The individual has been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded in custody for a future court date at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
RCMP continue to search for the victim's vehicle which is described as a Red 1997 Mazda B2300 pickup truck bearing Alberta licence plate LWAS380.
Additionally, RCMP continue to search for three additional suspects and are asking for help from the public.
If you have an information regarding this crime or those responsible, you are asked to contact the Smoky Lake RCMP at 780-656-3691. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).