Weekly Report: Monday, December 4 to Sunday, December 10, 2023, inclusive.
Please note all information below occurred within the time period above, unless otherwise noted.
Saskatchewan RCMP — Your Provincial Police Service
December 1 to 7 was Canada Safe Driving Week and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS), made up of Saskatchewan RCMP and municipal police service officers, patrolled and held check stops throughout the province to help keep Saskatchewan’s roads safe.
During the week-long initiative, CTSS officers found 64 drivers who had recently consumed alcohol or drugs prior to driving, six of whom were charged with Criminal Code impaired driving charges. The other 58 drivers received roadside suspensions.
In total, CTSS officers issued 1347 traffic charges, 1349 warnings, and 111 vehicle defect inspection notices to drivers on Saskatchewan’s roadways. These included:
- 713 charges and 324 warnings for speeding;
- 97 charges and 22 warnings for cellphone use while driving;
- 9 charges and 26 warnings for careless driving;
- 43 charges and 19 warnings for seatbelt misuse;
- 76 charges and 30 warnings for intersection-related offences;
- 38 charges and 8 warnings for invalid driver’s license;
- 6 charges for driving while disqualified, suspended, or prohibited;
- 86 charges and 41 warnings for invalid vehicle registration;
- 256 charges and 868 warnings for all other Traffic Safety Act offences;
- 23 charges and 5 warnings for open alcohol or cannabis in a motor vehicle.
Here is just one example of a safety concern officers removed from the road:
– On December 5, 2023, a CTSS Swift Current officer observed a semi tractor on Highway #1 near Ernfold, SK. It was hauling hay bales that appeared to be swaying back and forth on the trailer. The officer performed a traffic stop and determined the bales were entirely unsecured despite the fact that the driver possessed adequate straps. The truck also did not have wide mirrors equipped to adequately see around the trailer’s wide load. The driver was ordered to properly secure the cargo before proceeding from the traffic stop and was ticketed for both the unsecure load and the inadequate mirrors.
Canada Safe Driving Week is an annual event, however, road safety is a year-round priority for the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Investigative Recap
Ongoing missing person investigations. Saskatchewan RCMP continues to ask for public assistance locating the following missing individuals:
- Shequille “Shack” Gamble – Big River Detachment area
- Kristopher Billette – Dillon Detachment area
- Byron Watson – Maple Creek Detachment area
- Gustav Schmidt – Assiniboia Detachment area
- Jaydin Campbell – La Loche Detachment area
December 2: At approximately 11:50 p.m., Outlook RCMP received a report of an assault at a residence in the RM of Loreburn.
Officers immediately responded. Investigation determined an adult male assaulted an adult female, who received medical treatment for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
A 41-year-old male was arrested without incident at the residence and initially provided a false name to officers. The male, who we are not identifying to protect the privacy of the victim, is charged with:
– one count, assault causing bodily harm, Section 267, Criminal Code
– one count, assault, Section 266, Criminal Code;
– one count, choking by choking, Section 246(a), Criminal Code;
– one count, utter threats, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code;
– one count, fail to comply with probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code; and
– one count, obstruction, Section 129(a), Criminal Code.
Investigation determined the male was also on warrant from the Canada Border Services Agency under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The adult male was scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on December 4, 2023 (Information #90515020).
December 4: As part of an ongoing investigation into cocaine trafficking in the Moose Jaw area, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Moose Jaw Crime Reduction Team executed multiple warrants in Moose Jaw. Officers located and seized approximately 30 grams of cocaine, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
An adult male was arrested without incident in Moose Jaw in connection with the investigation.
20-year-old Mathew Cunningham from Moose Jaw is charged with one count, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
He is scheduled to appear in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on February 7, 2024 (Information #90490309). The investigation continues.
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.
December 7: Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team notified after in-custody death in Wilkie
December 8: Warman RCMP investigating fatal collision involving pedestrian
December 8: Biggar RCMP investigating fatal collision
December 8: Carrot River RCMP: male charged after attempting to steal fuel, ramming police vehicles
December 9: Officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Crime Reduction Team were conducting proactive patrols on Highway #40, outside of North Battleford.
An officer conducted a traffic stop and observed open liquor in the vehicle. The occupants were arrested. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located and seized a semi-automatic handgun, approximately 56 grams of cocaine, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
As a result of continued investigation, officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Little Pine First Nation. They located and seized five additional firearms, bear mace, ammunition, and an additional quantity of cocaine.
Photos of the seized items are attached.
As a result of investigation, 45-year-old Steven Nighttraveller from Little Pine First Nation is charged with:
– one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
– one count, possession of firearm obtained by crime, Section 96(a), Criminal Code;
– one count, unlicensed possession of firearm with readily-available ammunition, Section 95(b), Criminal Code;
– one count, occupy a vehicle knowing a firearm is in it, Section 94, Criminal Code;
– one count, knowingly possess a restricted firearm without a license, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of restricted firearm without a license, Section 91(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, carry concealed weapon, Section 90(1), 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(1), Criminal Code.
The other occupants of the vehicle were released without charge.
Steven Nighttraveller is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on December 11, 2023 (Information #90519378 and 90519379).
Cut Knife RCMP assisted in this ongoing investigation. Further updates will be provided when available.
Background: The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team (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 service – keeping our communities safe.
Outlook RCMP asks public to report information on break-ins and vandalism incidents
Outlook RCMP are investigating a number of break-in and vandalism incidents in Elbow, SK.
– On May 7, 2023, and May 15, 2023, Outlook RCMP received two separate reports that vehicles in the marina area had been damaged.
– On June 4, 2023, Outlook RCMP’s detachment was vandalized with spray paint. Photos of two suspects are attached.
– On September 8, 2023, Outlook RCMP received a report of a potential break-in at a vacant building in Elbow. Investigation determined the door had been damaged sometime between June 1 and September 8.
– On October 12, 2023, Outlook RCMP received a report of a break-and-enter at a residence on Railway Street in Elbow. Officers did not note any damage to the residence and it’s unknown if anything was taken from it.
Outlook RCMP are actively investigating with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Forensic Identification Services. Investigators believe the incidents may be connected.
If you recognize the individuals in the attached photos from the detachment vandalism, or have information about any of these incidents, contact Outlook RCMP at 306-867-5440. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.