Please note all information below occurred within the time period above, unless otherwise noted.
Saskatchewan RCMP -- Your Provincial Police Service
Hunting season has started and Saskatchewan RCMP detachments are starting to get reports of stolen firearms, ammunition and other related items. This past week, a duck hunter in the Central Saskatchewan area left a vehicle parked while hunting and returned to find a shotgun, shotgun shells and binoculars missing from his truck.
Saskatchewan RCMP reminds hunters:
- Never leave firearms unattended in a vehicle, especially overnight. Even if they are out of sight within the vehicle, other hunting equipment can signal the potential presence of a gun and a thief may be willing to break in to check.
- Only bring as many firearms as you are willing to carry with you to hunt. Don't leave guns at a camp/blind when you aren't around.
- Always use trigger locks and secure firearms cases with some type of locking mechanism.
- Remember, it is illegal to have a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Investigative Recap
September 26: Ahtahkakoop/Shellbrook RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in Holbein, SK as part of an ongoing illegal firearm investigation.
Officers located and seized three long guns, a handgun with a loaded magazine, approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
An adult male was arrested at the residence.
32-year-old Jon Jonasson from Holbein is charged with:
- four counts, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 91(3), Criminal Code;
- one count, unlicensed possession of a restricted weapon, Section 95(2), Criminal Code.
He is scheduled to appear in court in Shellbrook on December 5, 2023.
Saskatchewan RCMP's Critical Incident Response Team, Prince Albert General Investigation Section, Prince Albert Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team, Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team, as well as Prince Albert Police Service's STRT assisted in this ongoing investigation.
September 27: At approximately 11:30 a.m., Loon Lake RCMP received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian on Highway 26, south of Loon Lake. Officers immediately responded. The adult female pedestrian was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. She has been identified as a 72-year-old women from Loon Lake. Her family has been notified. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. Loon Lake RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.
September 28: Sandy Bay RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in Sandy Bay as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
Officers located and seized approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine, numerous firearms, ammunition, weapons including a machete, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Several individuals were arrested at the residence. One additional individual later turned themselves into police in Sandy Bay.
As a result of investigation, 47-year-old Peter Merasty, 46-year-old Noreen Bear, 25-year-old Gene Merasty and 20-year-old Sonny Merasty, all 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 a prohibited weapon, Section 91(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(b), Criminal Code; and
- seven counts, unlawful storage of firearm or ammunition, Section 86(1), Criminal Code
Gene Merasty is also charged with two counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code.
The four accused are scheduled to appear in court in Sandy Bay on October 5, 2023.
The investigation continues.
September 29: Beauval RCMP investigating firearm discharge
September 30: At approximately 8:15 a.m., Weyburn RCMP received a report of a single vehicle rollover on a grid road west of Highway #35 near Colgate, SK. Officers immediately responded. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was later declared deceased by EMS. She has been identified as a 37-year-old female from Weyburn. Her family has been notified. Weyburn RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.
October 1: At approximately 6:30 p.m., Pelican Narrows RCMP received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian in Pelican Narrows. Officers immediately responded. An injured male was located and transported to hospital, where he was later declared deceased. He has been identified as a 39-year-old male from Pelican Narrows. The driver remained at the scene. Pelican Narrows RCMP continues to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.
Melfort RCMP seeks public's assistance in fuel theft investigation
On September 10, 2023, Melfort RCMP received a report of a fuel theft in Birch Hills, SK. Investigation determined someone broke into a cardlock fuelling compound and damaged the equipment to facilitate the theft of an unknown amount of fuel. Melfort RCMP continue to investigate. Report information about this theft to Melfort RCMP at 306-752-6420. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.