Martensville man dies in snowmobile collision at Candle Lake

Weekly Report: Monday, January 30 to Sunday, February 5, 2023, inclusive.

Please note all information below occurred within the time period above, unless otherwise noted.

February 5: At approximately 2:45 a.m., Smeaton RCMP received a report of a single snowmobile collision near Fairway Drive in Candle Lake. The adult male driver and sole occupant on the snowmobile was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. He has been identified as a 34-year-old male from Martensville. His family has been notified. Smeaton RCMP continues to investigate in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service.

Investigative Recap

Ongoing missing person investigations. Saskatchewan RCMP continues to ask for public assistance locating the following missing individuals:

• Seth Deschambeault – Prince Albert Detachment area
• Malcolm Custer – Smeaton Detachment area
• Shequille “Shack” Gamble – Big River Detachment area
• Joanne Highway – Prince Albert Detachment area
• Dominic Kahpoonapit – Pierceland Detachment area
• Lila Dustyhorn – White Butte Detachment area

February 1: Stanley Mission RCMP were assisting a partner agency at a residence in Stanley Mission. Officers located and seized a handgun with its serial number removed, a bag of cannabis and a sum of cash. As a result of continued investigation, La Ronge RCMP’s General Investigation Section executed a search warrant at the residence later that day. Officers located and seized approximately 72 grams of crack cocaine, packaged into individual baggies.

Three individuals were arrested at the residence. 19-year-old Tarig Idris from Saskatoon, 22-year-old Mackenzie Cannapotato from Onion Lake and 30-year-old Tracy Ballantyne from Stanley Mission are each charged with:

– one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

– one count, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 91(3), Criminal Code;

– one count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code; and

– one count, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, Section 108(2), Criminal Code.

They are scheduled to appear in La Ronge Provincial Court on February 7, 2023

February 3: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes: charge laid in death of child

February 3: La Loche RCMP investigating fatal collision on Highway #955

February 3: Battlefords RCMP investigating after male injured in firearm incident

February 3: Meadow Lake RCMP makes arrests in two separate property crime investigations.

• Just before 5 p.m., Meadow Lake RCMP received a report of a break-in at a residence in Meadow Lake. Investigation determined the homeowner heard a noise and discovered an unknown male in their residence. The male fled in a vehicle. Officers immediately responded, located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop and arrested the male. They located and seized a large number of items including sporting goods, collectables and electronics suspected to be stolen. Further investigation determined the vehicle the man was driving had been reported as stolen in Edmonton on February 1.

As a result of investigation, a 35-year-old man from Cold Lake is charged with:

• one count, break-and-enter, Section 348(1)(a), Criminal Code;
• two counts, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
• two counts, fail to comply with release order condition. Section 145(5)(a) Criminal Code; and
• one count, possession of break-in instruments, Section 351(1), Criminal Code.

He is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on February 6, 2023. Officers continue to investigate the origins of the recovered items.

• At approximately 9:40 p.m., Meadow Lake RCMP received a report of a robbery at a residence in Meadow Lake. Investigation determined a group of males approached a residence. One of them pointed a firearm at the residence and demanded an item from the occupants. The males then left in a vehicle. Investigators do not believe this incident was random in nature.

Meadow Lake RCMP immediately began searching for the suspects and located the vehicle at a residence in Meadow Lake. A firearm was located at the scene and three males were arrested at the residence. A search warrant was then exeacuted with the assistance of the Saskatchewan RCMP Crime Reduction Team. Officers located and seized the stolen property obtained during the robbery, a second firearm and other weapons were located and seized.

A 32-year-old male, 22-year-old male and a 25-year-old male from Meadow Lake are each charged with:

• one count, robbery with firearm, Section 344(1), Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88, Criminal Code;
• one count, possession of firearm without a license, Section 91(1), Criminal Code.
• one count, possess firearm with defaced serial number, Section 108(1)(b), Criminal Code; and
• one count, resist arrest, Section 129(a), Criminal Code.

The 25-year-old is also charged with one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 92(1), Criminal Code and two counts, possession of firearm contrary to order, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code. They are scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on February 6, 2023

Meadow Lake RCMP continues to investigate. Anyone with information should call Meadow Lake RCMP at 306-236-2570. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Incidents in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction from January 30 to February 5, 2023

Please note: the statistics below are representative of reports received within the Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. They are from the RCMP records management system and are accurate as the day they are collected. Crime statistics are regularly updated due to changes in reporting procedures, changes in ongoing investigations, etc. As a result, the statistics below may differ from previous or future published reports.