On Sept. 9, 2024, at approximately 8 a.m., Smoky Lake RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle which was parked on Victoria Trail.
Information provided to officers indicated that a male was sleeping inside of a vehicle with a firearm on the passenger seat beside him. When RCMP attended the location the male then attempted to flee on foot. With the assistance of Air Services, Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, EAD Crime Reduction Unit and neighbouring detachments the male was arrested, without incident, a short distance away from vehicle.
A 31-year-old resident of Viking, Alta., has been charged with the following offences:
- Weapon possession contrary to order x3
- Unsafe storage of firearms
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm when knowing possession unauthorized
- Possession of firearm in motor vehicle
- Possession of restricted or prohibited firearm
- Flight from peace officer
- Operation while prohibited
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Fail to comply with release order condition x2
The individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 12, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
Smoky Lake RCMP are committed to public safety and reducing crime within Smoky Lake and surrounding areas. If you have information illegal activity within the area of Smoky Lake, please contact Smoky Lake RCMP at 780-656-3691. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.