On March 10, 2020, at approximately 11 a.m., Capital Region West RCMP Traffic Services attempted to stop a van for speeding on Highway 620 near Drayton Valley, Alta. The van did not stop; however, as RCMP had obtained the licence plate, they did not continue after the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, RCMP received a 911 complaint of the same van not slowing down through a construction zone.
Evansburg RCMP were able to locate the vehicle and followed it eastbound on Highway 16 from a distance until it ran out of gas a short time later. RCMP closed Highway 16 eastbound and conducted a high risk arrest of the occupants of the van. Eight occupants of the van were arrested with the assistance of Capital Region West RCMP Traffic Services, Drayton Valley RCMP, Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit and the RCMP Police Dog Services. The highway was re-opened to traffic immediately after the subjects were in police custody.
Further investigation determined that the van was stolen. A search of the van resulted in the seizure of the following: a loaded sawed-off shotgun, machete, knife and several face masks.
A 19-year-old female of Edmonton, Alta.; an 18-year-old male of O'Chiese First Nation, Alta.; a 20-year-old female of Lloydminster, Alta.; a 23-year-old male of Atikameg, Alta.; a 22-year-old male of O'Chiese First Nation, Alta.; a 36-year-old male of Red Deer, Alta.; a 26-year-old male of Edmonton; and a 28-year-old male of Enoch, Alta. are jointly charged with:
- Possessing Stolen Property
- Possess a Firearm in a Vehicle
- Possessing a Firearm Without a Licence
The 20-year-old female is also charged with breaching probation; The 22-year-old male is also charged with possessing a firearm while prohibited and breaching probation; The 36-year-old male is also charged with possessing a firearm while prohibited; The 26-year-old male is also charged with refusing to comply with a breath demand, operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public, failing to stop for police, drive an uninsured vehicle on a highway and speeding under the Traffic Safety Act.
The 19-year-old female, the 18-year-old male and the 20-year-old female were released by way of an Appearance Notice. The other five subjects remain in custody as they were remanded or need to speak to bail. All eight subjects will be appearing in Evansburg provincial court on April 27, 2020.