February 8, 2023
Sweetgrass First Nation, Saskatchewan
On February 7, 2023 at approximately 6:45 p.m., Cut Knife RCMP received a report that a male wanted for being unlawfully at large was travelling in a vehicle in their detachment area.
Officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop and officers pursued it onto Highway #16. A tire deflation device was set up. The suspect vehicle drove over it and its tires were deflated.
The vehicle continued on Highway #16 at high rate of speed, before coming to a stop outside of Waseca.
Officers demanded that the two occupants exit the vehicle. They did not comply.
Saskatchewan RCMP's Critical Incident Response Team was engaged. Officers attempted negotiations with the occupants, then used non-lethal intervention techniques to safely arrest them without injury. Further investigation determined the vehicle had been reported as stolen in Edmonton, Alberta.
29-year-old Nakota Pooyak from Sweetgrass First Nation and 32-year-old Warren Littlewolfe from Edmonton are each charged with:
- one count, flight from police, Section 320.17, Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of stolen property, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- one count, resist/obstruct peace officer, Section 129, Criminal Code.
Pooyak was also arrested on a warrant for being unlawfully at large.
Both are scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on February 9, 2023.
Highway #16 was closed for approximately six hours during this incident, but has now re-opened.
Cut Knife RCMP, Battlefords RCMP, Maidstone RCMP, Lloydminster RCMP, Saskatchewan RCMP's Warrant Enforcement Response Team and Roving Traffic Unit, Lloydminster Rescue Squad, Wilton Police Service and the Province of Saskatchewan's Protection and Response Team and Ministry of Highways assisted with this investigation.
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Backgrounder
North Battleford Crime Reduction Team arrests wanted male, asks public to report sightings of second wanted male
2023-01-20
Update: This individual was located and arrested.
Investigation by the North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT) determined two males, on warrant issued by Correctional Service Canada for being unlawfully at large, may be in a residence on Sweetgrass First Nation.
On January 19, 2023, CRT officers executed a search warrant at the residence, with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP's Battlefords detachment, Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team, Critical Incident Response Team, Police Dog Services and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan.
Police approached and contained the residence. One of the wanted males, 21-year-old Adam Semaganis from Poundmaker First Nation, surrendered and was arrested without incident.
Officers then executed the search warrant. They cleared the home of other occupants and three adult females were arrested on outstanding warrants from Battlefords RCMP, Regina Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service. Officers conducted a thorough search, but did not locate the second wanted male.
CRT is now asking for the public's assistance locating 29-year-old Nakota Pooyak of Sweetgrass First Nation.
Nakota Pooyak is described as 5'10" and 140 lbs. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He has a scar by his left eye.
Investigation has determined that Nakota Pooyak has been on Sweetgrass First Nation recently and he is also known to travel to the Battlefords area. His current whereabouts are unknown.
If you see Nakota Pooyak, do not approach him. Report sightings and information on his whereabouts to your local police service. You can dial 310-RCMP to reach your local RCMP detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Background:
The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP's Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), as well as the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT). SERT will help the Saskatchewan RCMP continue to fulfil its mandate as the province's police force – keeping our communities safe.
