In Dec. 2020, Tofield RCMP and Alberta Health Services received reports that a business in Lindbrook, Alta. was non-compliant with the Alberta Public Health Act as it relates to COVID public health orders.
Between Dec. 2020, and April 2021, Tofield RCMP, along with Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health and Safety, attempted to educate and assist the owner to correct the deficiencies within the store for public and employee safety.
On March 4, 2021, Tofield RCMP charged a 31-year-old male and a 25-year-old male with various charges under the Alberta Public Health Act. On March 15, 2021, a 54-year-old female was charged with various charges under the Alberta Public Health Act. All three were released to attend court in Vegreville Provincial Court on May 3, 2021; however, they failed to attend as required.
In late April 2021, as a result of statements made in regards to the RCMP, Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health and Safety, on May 19, 2021, the 54-year-old female was charged with Uttering Threats. Tofield RCMP were unable to locate her, and a warrant for her arrest was obtained.
On June 7, 2021, the RCMP had located the 54-year-old female while she was operating a motor vehicle and attempted a traffic stop; however, she failed to stop for police.
On June 9, 2021, Tofield RCMP, along with the assistance of the Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, coordinated a planned arrest of all three on their outstanding warrants and charges.
On June 9, 2021, the Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit located the 31-year-old male operating a motor vehicle with the 54-year-old female as a passenger and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to stop for police and continued to a nearby residence where police conducted the vehicle stop. Both the female and male were arrested. A planned arrest was coordinated of the 25-year-old male shortly thereafter, with the assistance of the Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, at another location.
The 54-year-old female and the 31-year-old male, both of Strathcona County, Alta. are jointly charged with:
- Flight from police (June 9, 2021 incident)
- Assault police officer (June 9, 2021 incident)
- Mischief over $5,000 (June 9, 2021 incident)
Both are also facing previous Alberta Public Health Act related charges.
The 54-year-old female is additionally charged with:
- Flight from police (June 7, 2021 incident)
- Uttering threats (April 26, 2021 incident)
The 25-year-old male from Strathcona County is facing previous Alberta Public Health Act charges.
Following judicial hearings, all three were released on conditions for Vegreville Provincial Court on June 28, 2021, and Sherwood Park Provincial Court on June 30, 2021.
Throughout this process, Tofield RCMP's response to the business's non-compliance has been consistent with our overall RCMP strategy in the province, which is education, an opportunity for compliance, and lastly, enforcement. Tofield RCMP, along with Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health and Safety, have worked together in our approach of escalated levels of enforcement in the face of non-compliance with COVID public health orders.
These steps speak to the on-going patience, resilience and structured actions and response that have been taken by the Tofield RCMP in an effort to gain compliance and support from a business owner(s)/operator(s) for the Alberta Public Health Act regulations.