RCMP focuses on impaired driving education

Weekly Report: Monday, June 19 to Sunday, June 25, 2023, inclusive.

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

Saskatchewan RCMP — Your Provincial Police Service

On June 20, 2023, White Butte RCMP hosted the MADD Regina’s Crashed Car Campaign media event, teaming up with partners from the Regina Police Service (RPS), White City Fire Department (WCFD), and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada.

The press conference focused on the increase in and impact of impaired driving, featuring a crashed vehicle on display. “We hope this crashed truck is a strong reminder that it is never okay to drive impaired. Please plan ahead for a safe ride home,” said Karen Lovelace, MADD volunteer. MADD Canada’s mission is to stop impaired driving and support all victims.

S/Sgt. Corey Niedzielski, Detachment Commander of White Butte RCMP, also spoke at the event. “If no safe ride is available, stay the night and drive only when sober,” he said. “Do not take a chance. Also, do not let your loved ones drive impaired”. He also shared the following stat: “In the last three weeks alone, the Saskatchewan RCMP have received 234 ‘Report Impaired Drivers’ (RID) calls. If you see a suspected impaired driver, pull over and immediately call 911 to report it.”

The Saskatchewan RCMP and their partners want to continue to raise awareness in an effort to stop impaired driving. In 2022, there was 1,762 impaired driving charges and 663 roadside suspensions issued throughout Saskatchewan. In 2023, there has already been 651 impaired driving charges and 384 roadside suspensions issued.

The Saskatchewan RCMP continues to target impaired driving during enforcement initiatives and as part of daily police work. This includes several initiatives in recent months specifically targeting impaired driving including 1,755 vehicles checked on National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, National Impaired Driving Prevention Week  and May long weekend safety check stops when 50 mandatory alcohol screening demands conducted resulted in two, three-day license suspensions. Throughout the summer, the public will continue to see Saskatchewan RCMP officers out on the roads targeting impaired driving and other unsafe driving behaviours. Remember: always plan a safe and sober ride home.

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On June 21, 2023, Meadow Lake RCMP co-hosted a ceremony with Flying Dust First Nation, recognizing the return of the lands on which the detachment sits to the First Nation. The land had been expropriated by the Government of Canada from Flying Dust First Nation in 1932 for a railway. Instead of returning the land, it was parcelled off and sold off. The Saskatchewan RCMP built a detachment on one of these parcels.

The Saskatchewan RCMP was honoured to attend the land return agreement ceremony, which included a flag raising, a pipe ceremony and smudging of the building and lands facilitated by a local Elder. We believe it’s an important milestone in our ongoing collaboration with Flying Dust First Nation and one example of reconciliation in action.

We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Flying Dust First Nation community, and to working together to keep the community and its people safe.

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On June 22, 2023, Melfort RCMP hosted a fundraising BBQ at their detachment. Officers, staff and their families served grilled food and lemonade, which were donated by the local Co-op. The detachment thanks everyone who helped out at the BBQ, and to all the community members who came out for a good food and company – for a great cause. The BBQ raised $1,200, which was donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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
• Branden Baptiste – Battlefords Detachment area
• Shequille “Shack” Gamble – Big River Detachment area
• Jesse Dionne – Cumberland House Detachment area
• Merle Wolfe – Onion Lake Detachment area
• Sadie Lameman – Onion Lake Detachment area
• Sheenalyn Sewap – Pelican Narrows Detachment area
• Fritz Chartrand – Yorkton Detachment area

June 19: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating suspicious death near Esterhazy

June 19: Deschambault Lake RCMP: charges laid in serious assault

June 19: RCMP Investigates multiple fatalities in southern Saskatchewan

June 19: Battlefords RCMP received multiple reports of break-ins and mischief incidents at businesses in the town’s commercial district, 22^nd Street, in Battleford in June. As a result of investigation into these reports, Battlefords RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on 20 Street on June 19. Officers located and seized a number of items that investigation determined were stolen including a lawnmower, bicycle, power tool accessories, camping equipment and motorcycle equipment. An adult male was arrested and charged in relation to this investigation.

22-year-old Dalyn Ahenakew from Battleford is charged with:

– two counts, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, Section 348(1)(a), Criminal Code;

– one count, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, Section 355(a), Criminal Code; and

– one count, resist arrest, Section 129(a), Criminal Code; and

– one count, mischief under $5,000, Section 430(4), Criminal Code.

He is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on July 10, 2023 (Information 90504322, 90504323, 90504324).

Battlefords RCMP continues to investigate, including identifying the owners of the recovered items so they can be returned.

June 20: Investigation by Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement Response Team (WEST) determined 38-year-old Anthony Mitsuing was in the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation area. Mitsuing was wanted by Correctional Service Canada for being unlawfully at large. On June 20, WEST officers located and arrested Mitsuing without incident at a residence on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. He has been returned to custody.

June 21: Battlefords RCMP asks public to report sightings of Kelly McDonald

June 21: Attempted abduction reported in North Battleford

June 21: Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP investigating fatal collision

June 21: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating 15 homicides in 2023, including three over the weekend

June 23: Punnichy RCMP investigating fatal collision involving pedestrian

June 25: At approximately 11:10 a.m., Cut Knife RCMP received a report of a firearms discharge on Poundmaker Cree Nation. Investigation determined an adult male approached a residence and discharged a firearm, striking a parked vehicle. He then threatened an occupant of the residence. No injuries were reported to police. Cut Knife RCMP began searching for the male with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team. Cut Knife RCMP located the suspect at a residence on Little Pine First Nation at approximately 3:45 p.m. He assaulted a police officer during his arrest. The officer was not seriously injured.

51-year-old Terrance Favel from Poundmaker Cree Nation is charged with:

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

– one count, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, Section 85(3), Criminal Code;

– two counts, mischief under $5,000, Section 430(4), Criminal Code;

– one count, mischief over $5,000, Section 430(3), Criminal Code;

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

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

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

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

– one count, weapons possession contrary to order, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code;

– one count, discharge firearm while being reckless, Section 244.2(3), Criminal Code; and

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

Terrance Favel is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on June 26, 2023 (Information #90494598).

Incidents in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction June 19 to 25, 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.