On the evening of March 20, 2019, the Lac La Biche RCMP received a report of an armed robbery on Beaverhill Road in Lac La Biche during which time a male was brandishing a firearm. Further investigation led RCMP members to identifying the male suspect involved in the incident.
On March 21, 2019, a joint operation was conducted by the Lac La Biche RCMP, Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), and Cold Lake Police Dog Services (PDS) to locate and apprehend the wanted male. The joint operation spanned a large area of Lac La Biche County and led RCMP members to locating and recovering a vehicle stolen from Kikino that had been used in the commission of the armed robbery.
EADRCRU members were able to track the male to a residence in Kikino and all occupants of the house were evacuated. A warrant to enter the dwelling house was obtained and the male, who had been hiding in the attic of the residence, surrendered and was arrested by RCMP. RCMP members searched the attic area where the accused had been hiding and recovered items that had been stolen during the armed robbery in Lac La Biche the day before.
"With the threats exhibited by the offender during this robbery, it immediately became a priority for us to track him down," said Cst. Guillaume Wilson (EADRCRU). "We will continue to track down and arrest violent offenders, no matter how hard they run or where they try to hide."
A 24-year-old male of Kikino was charged with multiple offences, which include:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Using a firearm in the commission of an offence
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Possession of a prohibited firearm
- Failing to comply with a recognizance
- Failing to comply with a probation order
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x4)
He was held in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court on April 1, 2019 in Lac La Biche.