Please note all information below occurred within the time period above, unless otherwise noted.
Saskatchewan RCMP - Your Provincial Police Service
Investigative Recap
April 29: Saskatchewan RCMP sharing "Stories not Statistics" for Saskatchewan Missing Persons Week
April 30: At approximately 10:30 a.m., an officer from Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan was conducting proactive patrols in Kinistino, SK. They observed a vehicle with a license plate that was unreadable as it was covered in mud. They conducted a traffic stop.
Investigation determined the driver could not produce a driver's license or registration, and that the license plate belonged to another vehicle.
Further investigation determined the driver was wanted by Carrot River RCMP for fraud, and by Prince Albert Police Service for theft of a motor vehicle. The officer located and seized bolt cutters and balaclavas as well as a large number of keys from the vehicle.
The driver was arrested.
As a result of continued investigation, 51-year-old Kelly Crawford from Medicine Hat, AB is charged with:
- one count, operate a conveyance while prohibited, Section 320.18(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- one count, possess break-in instruments, Section 351(1), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possession of property obtained by crime, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.
He was also arrested on his outstanding warrants.
Crawford was remanded into custody until his scheduled appearance in Melfort Provincial Court on May 6, 2024.
May 1: At approximately 8 p.m., Cut Knife RCMP received a report of a disturbance at a residence on Poundmaker Cree Nation.
Officers immediately attended and located the subject of the report. Investigation determined he was wanted on warrants from Cut Knife RCMP for failing to attend court, failing to comply with a release order condition and resisting arrest.
Officers told the male he was under arrest. He violently resisted officers, including striking one of them in the head. The officers used a conducted energy device to try to arrest the male safely, but he continued to resist and attempted to take a conducted energy device from one of them. Unity RCMP came to assist the officers.
The male was brought into custody.
One of the police officers was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
As a result of continued investigation, a male youth from Poundmaker Cree Nation is charged with:
- one count, assault to resist/prevent arrest, Section 270(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, disarming a police officer, Section 270.1(1), Criminal Code;
- one count, resist police officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code; and
- one count, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code.
The male, who can't be identified as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on May 2, 2024.
May 2: Saskatoon RCMP are asking the public to report whereabouts of wanted male
May 2: As a result of a continuing drug trafficking investigation, Sandy Bay RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in Sandy Bay. Officers located and seized approximately 16 grams of crack-cocaine which was divided into small packages, two airguns, a machete, trafficking paraphernalia and a sum of cash.
Four individuals were arrested at the residence.
As a result of continued investigation, 42-year-old Lazarou Keror from Calgary, 40-year-old Achein Lazro from Calgary, 41-year-old Heather McCallum from Sandy Bay and 37-year-old Lewis McDonald from Sandy Bay are each charged with:
- one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- one count, possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- three counts, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88, Criminal Code.
They have been remanded into custody until their next appearance in Prince Albert Provincial Court on May 9, 2024.
May 3: Kindersley RCMP: male charged with sexual assault and sexual interference
May 3: Indian Head RCMP investigating fatal collision
May 3: Moose Jaw RCMP investigating human remains located in the RM of Moose Jaw
May 3: Saskatchewan RCMP's La Ronge Crime Reduction Team were conducting proactive patrols in La Ronge. Officers conducted a traffic stop and observed open alcohol inside of the vehicle. During subsequent investigation, officers located and seized approximately five grams of cocaine and trafficking material from the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
Officers obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in La Ronge later that day. Officers located and seized approximately 225 grams of cocaine, two magazines, ammunition, a large sum of cash and trafficking paraphernalia.
The occupants of the residence were also arrested.
As a result of continuing investigation, 42-year-old Juanita Halkett, 43-year-old Albert Tremblay, 36-year-old Rachel Vandall and 40-year-old David Sanderson, all from the La Ronge area, are each charged with:
- one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- one count, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code.
Juanita Halkett is also charged with:
- one count, trafficking, Section 5(1), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
- one count, fail to comply with release order, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code.
David Sanderson is also charged with:
- one count, resist peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code; and
- two counts, fail to comply with release order, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code.
They are scheduled to appear in La Ronge Provincial Court on May 6, 2024.
May 4: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes: male charged with second degree murder
May 4: Turtleford RCMP officers on patrol on Thunderchild First Nation located an SUV that had been reported as stolen from Onion Lake in April. During subsequent investigation, they located and seized a firearm and a small amount of suspected fentanyl inside the SUV, and a second firearm nearby.
A tow truck was called to tow the SUV. As the tow truck driver departed, a pick-up truck attempted to hit the tow truck and block it from leaving. The truck fled, but officers located it nearby. It then rammed a police vehicle.
Officers arrested the three occupants of the truck. The tow truck driver and the officers did not report physical injuries.
As a result of continued investigation, 62-year-old George Wapass from Thunderchild First Nation and 20-year-old Katie Pritchard from Cold Lake First Nation are each charged with:
- one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Section 320.13(1), Criminal Code;
- one count, flight from peace officer, Section 320.17, Criminal Code; and
- one count, obstruct peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code.
Katie Pritchard is also charged with:
- one count, assault with the intent to resist arrest, Section 270(b), Criminal Code; and
- one count, assault on police officer with a weapon, Section 270.01(2), Criminal Code.
25-year-old Jaiden Jimmy from Turtleford is charged with:
- one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Section 320.13(1), Criminal Code.
They are scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on May 6, 2024 (Information 90475130, 90475131)
The investigation continues. Anyone with information should contact Turtleford RCMP 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.
May 5: Saskatchewan RCMP increased police presence in Swift Current