Three people are in custody after a traffic incident and assault near Watson Lake, YT, on March 16, 2022.
On March 16, 2022, at 9:00 pm, Watson Lake RCMP were advised of a single motor vehicle collision at kilometer 1046 on the Alaska Highway. A Good Samaritan operating a semi-tractor trailer truck stopped to assist the occupants of the vehicle, which had flipped on its roof on the highway.
After assisting the three occupants out of the damaged vehicle, those individuals then stole the semi-tractor trailer truck and drove it approximately 500 ft. down the highway before getting it stuck.
The three accused then returned on foot to the Samaritan and began assaulting him.
Responding RCMP officers located the three individuals and arrested them on scene after a brief attempt to evade police. All three individuals had outstanding warrants for arrest.
The good Samaritan sustained minor injuries and was treated at Watson Lake Hospital.
The vehicle, a white 2021 Toyota Rav4, was reported stolen earlier in the day out of Dawson City, Yukon.
The three individuals have been charged with the following offences:
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- Kody SMITH, age 26, of Whitehorse:
- Possession of property obtained by crime S.354(1)(a) Criminal Code
- Robbery S.344(1)(b) Criminal Code.
- Michael BENNETT, age 20, of Whitehorse:
- Possession of property obtained by crime S.354(1)(a) Criminal Code
- Robbery S.344(1)(b) Criminal Code
- Fail to comply with release order S. 145(5)(a) Criminal Code.
- Kiara HAGEN, age 20, of Whitehorse:
- Possession of property obtained by crime S.354(1)(a) Criminal Code
- Robbery S.344(1)(b) Criminal Code
- Fail to comply with release order S. 145(5)(a) Criminal Code (2 counts)
- Kody SMITH, age 26, of Whitehorse:
The three accused persons are currently in custody pending future court dates. The investigations are ongoing.
Any motorists who may have seen the vehicle, a white 2021 Rav4, on the Alaska Highway between Whitehorse and Kilometer 1046 on March 16, 2022, are asked to call Watson Lake RCMP Detachment at (867) 536-5555.
If you have information to provide to police, but wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersyukon.ca or by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).