An investigation by RCMP detachments in Saskatchewan and Alberta has resulted in three people being arrested and 47 charges being laid.
It started on Wednesday, July 29 at 5:00 p.m. when Onion Lake RCMP responded to a man being injured after a firearm was used. The suspects fled in a vehicle and the victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle was located near Lloydminster but the pursuit was called off for safety.
At approximately 6:00 p.m., RCMP in Lloydminster received a report of a suspect vehicle hitting another vehicle on 46 Avenue in Lloydminster. Two suspects attempted to steal a truck while brandishing a firearm, but eventually fled on foot.
A few minutes after the report of the collision, the armed suspects attempted another carjacking which included two shots being fired at a victim, however the victim was able to drive away safely.
The two suspects then assaulted another victim and stole their truck. The truck was located east of Lloydminster by responding officers a pursuit was initiated but terminated due to public safety as it veered into westbound lanes on Highway 16 into oncoming traffic.
At approximately 6:50 p.m., Maidstone RCMP received a report of another truck being stolen near Highway 16 and Highway junction 303 which was later recovered back in Lloydminster. A woman was arrested in the area.
Eventually Maidstone RCMP managed to track down the two men after a truck was reported stuck near Hillmond at 7:30 p.m., which is where police arrested two suspects.
24-year-old Lucas Aaron Oakes of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and 23-year-old Jesse Leigh Heathen of Lloydminster, Alberta were jointly charged with 14 Criminal Code offences, some of which include:
- Theft of truck
- Robbery using a firearm
- Discharge of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Assault
- Uttering threats
- Flight from police
Heathen was individually charged with seven additional offences. Oakes was individually charged with 15 additional offences along with seven offences from the Onion Lake shooting.
21-year-old Montana Horse of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of failure to comply. She was also wanted by police at the time of her arrest.
All three accused will be appearing in North Battleford Provincial Court on August 4.
