January 17, 2023
White Butte, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan RCMP's White Butte and Lumsden detachments and Regina General Investigation Section, in partnership with Regina Police Service, continue to work together to investigate a number of recent break-ins at rural residences in communities surrounding Regina.
As a result of continuing proactive investigation into late 2022/early 2023 break-ins reported in the Edenwold and White Butte areas, as well as information and reports provided by the public, officers have charged seven individuals. Note, not all of these incidents and accused are connected.
Monty Bear, 28, from Regina is charged with:
- two counts, break, enter and commit theft, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
- one count, using a firearm while committing an indictable offence, Section 85(1), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, Section 94, Criminal Code;
- one count, unlicensed possession of a firearm, Section 91(2), Criminal Code;
- two counts, possession of a firearm while prohibited, Section 117.01, Criminal Code;
- two counts, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- two counts, possession of a Schedule I substance, Section 4(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Justin McDonald, 31, from Regina is charged with:
- two counts, break, enter and commit theft, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- two counts, mischief under $5,000, Section 430(4), Criminal Code;
- one count, transport a firearm without a secure locking device, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, unlicensed possession of a firearm, Section 91(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, Section 94, Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a firearm with readily accessible ammunition, Section 95, Criminal Code; and
- one count, theft of motor vehicle (snowmobile), Section 333.1, Criminal Code.
Melaisea Favel, 48, from Regina is charged with:
- two counts, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.
Riel Nault, 38, of Regina is charged with:
- two counts, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code
- two counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code.
Dontay Bellegarde, 20, of Little Black Bear First Nation is charged with:
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- two counts, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88, Criminal Code; and
- one count, fail to comply with probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code.
In addition, White Butte RCMP have charged and are looking to locate and arrest two additional individuals. Arthur Pass, 29, and Kevin Weber, 38, both from Regina, are each charged with:
- one count, break, enter and commit theft, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, Section 94, Criminal Code; and
- one count, use of a firearm in the commission of an offence, Section 94, Criminal Code.
Pass is described as approximately 5'10" and 140 lbs. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. A photo of him is attached. Weber is described as 5'9" and 145 lbs. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. We do not have a photo of him available.
"These charges mark a significant step in the ongoing investigation into recent thefts in the area, but they certainly aren't the last. We continue to work with our partners to locate those wanted on warrant, to continue investigation into area property thefts reported in the past few months and to reunite recovered items with their rightful owners," says S/Sgt. Corey Niedzielski from White Butte RCMP. "We take property crime seriously and will continue to untangle this recent string of thefts. We're grateful to our partners within the RCMP and at Regina Police Service for their continued dedication to this."
Anyone with information about break-ins, or the whereabouts of Arthur Pass or Kevin Weber, should contact White Butte RCMP at 306-781-5050. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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Backgrounder
Two charged in rural break-ins; Saskatchewan RCMP, Regina Police Service continue to investigate
2023-01-09
Saskatchewan RCMP's White Butte and Lumsden detachments and Regina General Investigation Section, in partnership with Regina Police Service, are working together to investigate a number of recent break-ins at rural residences in communities surrounding Regina.
On December 31, 2022 White Butte RCMP received a report of a break-in at a rural residence outside of Pilot Butte, SK. Investigation determined two vehicles approached the residence. The occupants broke into it and stole a firearm safe containing five firearms as well as an SUV parked outside of it. The stolen SUV, which had been burned, was recovered in Regina later that day.
On January 2, 2023, White Butte RCMP received a report of a break-in at a commercial building in the RM of Edenwold. Investigation determined an individual approached the property in a vehicle, which had been reported as stolen to Regina Police Service and was also one of the suspect vehicles involved in the December 31 break-in in Pilot Butte. The individual stole a number of items, including a snowmobile, which they used to travel. The stolen truck was left behind, as were other items, including pieces of stolen identification and an illegally-modified firearm.
Later on January 3, 2023, White Butte RCMP received a report involving the stolen snowmobile, which was seen travelling along Highway #46, east of Regina. Officers located the snowmobile and arrested the adult male driver without incident. They found some of the items reported as stolen from the commercial property near the scene.
As a result of further investigation, White Butte RCMP, with the assistance of Lumsden RCMP, Saskatchewan RCMP's Regina General Investigation Section and Regina Police Service, executed two search warrants at residences in Regina. A second adult male was arrested at one of the residences.
Officers located and seized a number of items, including the gun safe reported stolen from Pilot Butte on December 31, firearms, firearm components and numerous other items suspected to be stolen.
As a result, Justin McDonald, 31, from Regina is charged with:
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- one count, break and enter with intent, Section 348(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- one count, break, enter and commit theft, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
- two counts, mischief under $5,000, Section 430(4), Criminal Code;
- one count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 91(1), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, Section 94, Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of a prohibited firearm without license, Section 95, Criminal Code; and
- one count, theft of other motor vehicle, Section 333.1(1), Criminal Code
Monty Bear, 28, from Regina is charged with:
- one count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, possess ammunition while prohibited, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possess identity documents of another person, Section 56.1(1), Criminal Code
McDonald and Bear are scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court on January 9, 2023.
"We do not tolerate this type of property crime in our communities," says S/Sgt. Corey Niedzielski, newly-appointed commander of the White Butte RCMP. "When we received these reports of break-ins and thefts, White Butte RCMP, along with investigators from neighbouring RCMP detachments and Regina Police Service, quickly began piecing the evidence together, ultimately resulting in the charges laid against these individuals. Our work isn't done. We're continuing to investigate whether others are potentially involved and if there are connections to other break-ins reported in the area. We'll also work to reunite some of these recovered items with their rightful owners."
The investigation is ongoing and White Butte RCMP asks anyone with information to call their local police service or RCMP detachment by calling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
