Saskatchewan RCMP weekly report – May 1-7, 2023

Weekly Report: Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 7, 2023, inclusive.

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

Saskatchewan RCMP — Your Provincial Police Service

Battlefords RCMP encourage communities to participate in 9 p.m. routine to keep properties safe

Since Battlefords RCMP introduced the 9 p.m. routine back in November 2022, the detachment has already seen successes:

• Vehicle thefts in the last two months of 2022 and first two months of 2023 (November to February inclusive) was down by 25 per cent in the City of North Battleford compared to the same period a year earlier. There were 69 total thefts in those four months compared to 93 the year before.

• January in particular saw a significant drop with 17 thefts in January 2023 down from 34 in January 2022.

The 9 p.m. routine asks residents to protect their vehicles and other property by removing valuables from inside and ensuring it’s locked with no keys inside, windows are closed, and if possible, the vehicle is parked in a garage. The 9 p.m. routine aims to reduce the number of vehicles with keys left in them to deter thieves from thefts and break-ins.

“There may be many reasons for the reduction in these thefts. We remain committed to monitoring the trends to ensure safe possible outcomes for residents in the community,” says Inspector Jesse Gilbert, North Battleford Detachment Commander.  “The work does not stop here. Vehicle thefts are still higher than some other locations of similar size in Saskatchewan. That’s why we need the community to spread the word about the 9PM routine and keep their property safe.”

A number of Saskatchewan communities were impacted by wildfires this week, and Saskatchewan RCMP has supported local leadership and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) as they worked to ensure residents were safe.

A wildfire near La Loche led to the evacuation of Clearwater River Dene Nation and the Northern Village of La Loche. La Loche RCMP, along with additional police officers from other communities from across Saskatchewan (Humboldt, Melfort, La Ronge, Pelican Narrows, Buffalo Narrows, and Turnor Lake) assisted by going door-to-door to ensure residents were aware of the evacuation order, maintaining traffic safety, and conducting proactive patrols in the communities. Police will continue to assist as needed, until evacuees safely return home.

There are other wildfires burning in the province, including one near Moosomin First Nation/Saulteaux First Nation and another north of Smeaton. Local RCMP detachments continue to monitor these fires, and will assist communities and the SPSA if required.

This past week was a timely reminder of how important it is to be prepared for an emergency. May 7 to 13 is Emergency Preparedness Week. This year’s theme is, “Be Prepared – Know Your Risks.” Residents are encouraged to understand the risks in their geographic area and learn what actions they can take to protect themselves and their families.

With dry conditions and an earlier-than-usual wildfire season – plus the typical summer storms Saskatchewan will soon experience – now’s the time to ensure you have an emergency kit prepared. This kit can help you stay healthy and safe during a prolonged power or water outage, and can be quickly grabbed if you have to evacuate your house or community.

Learn more here: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/

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
• Dominic Kahpoonapit – Pierceland Detachment area
• Jesse Dionne – Cumberland House Detachment area
• Joel Campbell – Southey Detachment area
• Merle Wolfe – Onion Lake Detachment area
• Sadie Lameman – Onion Lake Detachment area

May 3: At approximately 1:10 p.m., Craik RCMP received a report of a collision on Highway #11, approximately one kilometre south of Davidson, SK. Initial investigation determined a pick-up truck and a semi collided. The driver and sole occupant of the pick-up was taken to hospital, where he later died. He has been identified as an 86-year-old male from Davidson. His family has been notified. The driver and sole occupant of the semi was taken to hospital as a precaution. Traffic was restricted to one lane during the initial response. Craik RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP Collision Reconstructionist.

May 4: Humboldt RCMP investigating after firearm is pointed at vehicle

May 4: Yorkton RCMP investigate assault, seek information on whereabouts of Terran Finlay

May 5: Battlefords RCMP charge male after vehicle flees from officers

May 5: Indian Head RCMP respond to hoax 911 report of a shooting

May 7: As a result of investigation, Meadow Lake RCMP determined 28-year-old Brenden Yew, who was wanted by Correctional Service Canada for being unlawfully at large, was at a residence on Flying Dust First Nation. Officers approached the residence and Yew jumped out of a window and fled on foot toward the bushes. With the assistance of the Meadow Lake Crime Reduction Team, officers set up a perimeter to secure the area and help maintain the safety of the community. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone was activated to assist with expanding the search. Saskatchewan RCMP’s Police Dog Services was also engaged and shortly after, officers located and arrested Yew at another residence in the community. Correctional Service Canada was advised of Yew’s arrest. He has been returned to custody.a

Incidents in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction May 1 to 7, 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.