In early December, the Saskatchewan RCMP Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST), launched an investigation into 25-year-old Nathan Kakum who was Unlawfully at Large and wanted on a Canada-Wide Warrant issued by Correctional Services Canada. Kakum was on statutory release stemming from multiple firearms charges in 2021 in Saskatoon.
On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, RCMP WEST, in conjunction with Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, were able to determine Kakum may be in Saskatoon. RCMP WEST in Saskatoon conducted proactive patrols and canvassed the areas Kakum was known to frequent. Officers corroborated information and determined Kakum was staying at an apartment building in the city.
Officers attended the apartment and did a door knock. Officers were met by a male who introduced himself as "Emil" and had his face partially covered. Officers recognized the male as being Nathan Kakum. Kakum immediately exited the apartment through a window and ran from police. Officers immediately engaged in apprehending Kakum. Kakum resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers. Kakum continue to evade officers by fleeing on foot across nearby residential yards. WEST contained the area to help maintain public safety. With assistance from the Saskatoon Police Service, RCMP WEST were able to locate and arrest Kakum without further incident. He was transported to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment.
As a result of this investigation, Kakum is facing three additional charges:
- Resisting Arrest, contrary to Sec. 129(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Assault of a Police Officer, contrary to Sec. 270(2) of the Criminal Code; and
- Failure to Comply with a Condition of a Release Order, contrary to Sec. 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Kakum is scheduled to make his next appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Tuesday, January 17, 2022.
"Our partnership with the Saskatoon Police Service was instrumental in the successful arrest of Mr. Kakum. Collaborations like this are key to addressing criminal threats that cross community borders and police jurisdictions to avoid apprehensions," says Superintendent Glenn Church, Officer in Charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP's Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT). "RCMP WEST targets high-profile offenders who are considered a threat to the safety of the public. These offenders may have outstanding warrants and are considered to be at a high-risk of reoffending. Since the team became operational in April 2022, RCMP WEST has targeted 46 subjects for arrest. RCMP WEST has concluded 34 investigations. Of those, RCMP WEST have arrested, or was involved in an assisting capacity, 30 subjects."
RCMP WEST currently has 12 active investigations and efforts to locate and arrest these subjects are ongoing. RCMP WEST operates out of Saskatoon, Meadow Lake and Prince Albert.