Saskatchewan RCMP weekly report March 27-April 2, 2023

Weekly Report: Monday, March 27 to Sunday, April 2, 2023, inclusive.

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

 Saskatchewan RCMP – Your Provincial Police Service

It may be April, but much of southeast Saskatchewan experienced a wintry blast over the weekend. Road conditions, particularly on portions of Highway #1, were extremely icy.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Division Operational Communication Centre received 35 weather-related calls for service on April 2.

This includes calls about a multi-vehicle collision on Highway #1 eastbound lanes between Chaplin and Morse. Investigation determined six vehicles were involved: two semis collided, causing three passenger vehicles and a semi off the road and into the ditch. No serious injuries were reported to police. The eastbound lanes of Highway #1 were blocked while emergency services responded.

None of the collisions Saskatchewan RCMP investigated this weekend involved fatalities.

This weekend serves as a reminder although spring is technically here, motorists must still be prepared for winter weather conditions. Before travelling, always check the weather forecast, as well as current road conditions on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline map at: http://hotline.gov.sk.ca/map.html.

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
• Jesse Dionne – Cumberland House Detachment area
• Dresaun Prettyshield – Yorkton Detachment area
• Jaycee Geml – Fillmore Detachment area
• Eugene Harold Swiftwolfe – Battlefords Detachment area
• Blair April Halkett – Assiniboia Detachment area

March 27: Melfort RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan officers were conducting patrols in the R.M. of Flett Springs, near Melfort. They observed a vehicle with an expired license plate and conducted a traffic stop. Further investigation determined the driver was impaired. Officers located and seized a loaded sawed-off shotgun and illicit drug paraphernalia in a subsequent search of the vehicle. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

36-year-old James Dreaver from Muskoday First Nation is charged with:

– one count, Impaired Operation of Conveyance, Sec.320.14(1)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, Impaired Operation over 80 mgs%, Sec.320.14(1)(b), Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon with ammo, Sec.95(1)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Firearm in a Vehicle, Sec.94, Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Sec.88, Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Sec.92(2), Criminal Code;

– one count, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Sec.90, Criminal Code; and

– one count, transport a firearm in a careless manner, Section 86(1), Criminal Code.

36-year-old Adam Primeau from Muskoday First Nation is charged with:

– one count, Obstruct a Peace Officer, Sec.129(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon with ammo, Sec.95(1)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Firearm in a Vehicle, Sec.94, Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Sec.88, Criminal Code;

– one count, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Sec.92(2), Criminal Code; and

– one count, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Sec.90, Criminal Code.

They appeared in Nipawin Provincial Court on March 29, 2023. (Informations 90502017, 90502018, 90502019).

March 27: At approximately 3:30 p.m., Meadow Lake RCMP received a report of an armed robbery at a residence on 3^rd Street West in Meadow Lake.

Investigation determined three males approached the residence, threatened an occupant with a firearm and robbed them. No injuries were reported to police.  Meadow Lake RCMP officers immediately responded and located one of the males nearby. He attempted to flee on foot but was soon arrested by officers without incident.

As a result of further investigation, Meadow Lake RCMP and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Meadow Lake Crime Reduction Team identified the two other males. They were arrested at a residence in Meadow Lake on March 28.

As a result of further investigation, 32-year-old Shawn Martin, 19-year-old Kenton Bouvier and 21-year-old Brendan McKay, all from Meadow Lake, are each charged with:

– one count, robbery with firearm, Section 344, Criminal Code;

– one count, break, enter and committing an indictable offence, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;

– one count, theft under $5,000, Section 334(b), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of a firearm knowing possession was unauthorized, Section 92(3)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, uttering threats, Section 264.1(1), Criminal Code;

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

– one count, careless use of a firearm, Section 86(1), Criminal Code.

In addition, Kenton Bouvier is charged with: one count, weapons possession contrary to order, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code; one count, pointing a firearm, Section 87(2), Criminal Code; and two counts, fail to comply with probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code. Brendan McKay is also charged with one count, wear disguise with intent to commit offence, Section 351(2), Criminal Code.

Shawn Martin is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on April 3, 2023. Kenton Bouvier is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on April 6, 2023. Brendan McKay is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on April 17, 2023. (Information #90490764, 90491397)

Background:

The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Reduction Teams (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.

March 28: Saskatchewan RCMP STRT seize significant amount of fentanyl following inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation

March 29: Battlefords RCMP launches crime reduction initiative to reduce criminal activity in the community

March 29: Traffic stops leads to business being charged for illegally selling alcohol

March 31: At approximately noon, Battlefords RCMP received a report of an armed male at a business on Territorial Drive in North Battleford. Officers immediately responded. The male was not located at the scene. No injuries were reported to police.

Officers began proactively patrolling the area and located the male walking on 101 Street shortly after. When officers told him he was under arrest, he ran away but was arrested after a brief foot chase. He assaulted an officer during the arrest. The officer was not seriously injured. A knife was located and seized during subsequent investigation.

As a result of investigation, 39-year-old Darwin Andrew from North Battleford is charged with:

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

– one count, carrying a concealed weapon, Section 90(2), Criminal Code;

– one count, resist/obstruct peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, disturbing the peace, Section 175(1), Criminal Code; and

– one count, assault on police officer, Section 270(2), Criminal Code.

He is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on April 3, 2023 (Information 90495968).

March 31: At approximately 8 p.m., Onion Lake RCMP received a report of a firearm discharge on Onion Lake First Nation. Officers immediately responded. Investigation determined a male forced an individual to stay in the residence, and discharged a firearm at them. The victim was able to leave the residence safely and did not report any injuries to police.

Officers went to the residence and arrested the suspect without incident. They located and seized three firearms at the property during subsequent investigation.

26-year-old Burton Lewis from Onion Lake Cree Nation is charged with:

– one count, reckless discharge of a firearm, Section 244.1(3), Criminal Code;

– one count, pointing a firearm, Section 87(2), Criminal Code;

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

– one count, uttering threats, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code; and

– one count, forcible confinement, Section 279(2), Criminal Code.

He is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on April 3, 2023 (Information 90498579).

March 31: Saskatchewan RCMP STRT: Traffic stop results in seizure of illicit drugs near Melville, SK

March 31: At approximately 11:20 p.m., Melfort RCMP received a report of a robbery at a gas station on Saskatchewan Avenue in Melfort. Investigation determined a male, who was armed with a knife, entered the business, threatened an employee, then left with a sum of cash and cigarettes. No injuries were reported to police. The male fled on foot, heading east on Saskatchewan Avenue.

Officers immediately responded and began looking for the suspect, with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services.

Officers continue to investigate and ask anyone who recognizes the male, or has information about this crime, to report it. The male is described as wearing all black clothing and a black face mask. He has tattoos on his neck. We’re working to obtain photos.

Information can be reported to Melfort RCMP at 306-752-6420. 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 March 27 to April 2, 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.