On April 19, 2022 at approximately 7:55 a.m., Pierceland RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Big Island Lake Cree Territory.
Shortly after, officers located a vehicle matching that description south of the community. They activated their emergency equipment and attempted to stop the vehicle, which drove off at a high rate of speed. The officers continued to search for the vehicle and shortly after, observed it on a rural road in the RM of Beaver River. The vehicle accelerated and drove straight towards the police vehicle, swerved at the last second and continued to drive away at a high rate of speed.
At approximately 8:35 a.m., Pierceland RCMP received a report that two males described to be in a similar vehicle attempted to steal fuel from a residence in the RM of Beaver River before they fled again.
Officers from Meadow Lake RCMP, Loon Lake RCMP, Meadow Lake Police Dog Services and conservation officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch, continued to search for the suspects.
At approximately 8:50 a.m., officers located the vehicle, which once again accelerated and drove straight towards a police vehicle, swerved at the last second and continued to drive away at a high rate of speed. Shortly after, officers located the vehicle abandoned on Highway #55, just east of Beacon Hill. It was determined the vehicle had been reported stolen to Lloydminster RCMP on April 18, 2022.
"The two males, who had fled on foot, were located and arrested around 10:30 a.m. approximately two kilometers from where they abandoned their vehicle," says Cpl. David Horton, acting Pierceland RCMP Detachment Commander. "Their arrest was the culmination of an extensive hour-long search through snow-filled brush and fields. This is an example of the excellent collaboration between RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services, and the Provincial Protective Services Branch."
"Our government is extremely proud of the support provincial conservation officers provided to the RCMP in this situation," Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell Said. "We look forward to finding new opportunities to work with the RCMP to ensure the safety of Saskatchewan people and communities as the Protection and Response Team model evolves through the transition to the Provincial Protective Services Branch."
Josh McLaren of Lloydminster, SK is charged with:
- 1 count, assault with weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Section 320.13(1), Criminal Code
- 1 count, flight from peace officer, Section 320.17, Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, theft under $5000, Section 334(b), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code
Josh McLaren was also arrested on a Canada-wide warrant for a parole violation.
Michael Fisher of Lashburn, SK is charged with:
- 1 count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- 1 count, theft under $5000, Section 334(b), Criminal Code
- 1 count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code
Both will appear in Pierceland Provincial Court next on May 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.