LLOYDMINSTER – In a cross-provincial operation, RCMP teams from Saskatchewan and Alberta have arrested a man wanted on multiple warrants and seized firearms, drugs, and stolen property valued at over $100,000.
“The strong collaboration and successful result of this investigation confirm that the Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT in Lloydminster is strategically positioned and possesses the specialized expertise necessary to ensure that criminals in this area cannot exploit the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta to their advantage,” said Staff Sergeant Kory Davidsen, Acting Senior Investigative Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT).
The investigation started on Aug. 8, when the Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT), a specialized team part of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT), opened an investigation into an individual with multiple outstanding warrants suspected of trafficking drugs in Neilburg, Sask.
On Sept. 11, the Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT), with the assistance of the Lloydminster RCMP Saskatchewan Trafficking and Response Team (STRT), located and arrested the individual exiting a business on 13th Avenue in Wainwright, Alta. The adult female accompanying him was also arrested.
The same day, Lloydminster RCMP CRT, with the assistance of Lloydminster RCMP STRT and North Battleford RCMP Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant on the vehicle parked by the individual and the woman accompanying him in the parking lot of the business in Wainwright.
In the vehicle, police officers located and seized a loaded 9mm carbine rifle, approximately two ounces of cocaine and additional items indicative of drug trafficking.
Later that day, Lloydminster RCMP CRT, with the assistance of the Lloydminster RCMP STRT, North Battleford RCMP Police Dog Services and Cut Knife RCMP, executed a search warrant related to this investigation at a residence in rural Neilburg, Sask.
At the residence, police officers located and seized an SKS carbine-style rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, evidence of drug trafficking as well as stolen property valued at over $100,000, including four all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), two side-by-side vehicles (SSVs), one snowmobile and one sport utility vehicle (SUV).
Lloydminster RCMP CRT have so far identified the owners of half of the stolen items. They are asking for the owners of the remaining stolen items to please contact 310-RCMP. The items are a green Polaris Arctic Cat snowmobile, a red and blue motocross-style ATV, a black motocross-style ATV, and a green Honda full-size quad ATV.
Charged in connection with the investigation are Brett Schneider, 32, and Kendra Sylvestre, 28, both from the R.M. of Manitou Lake. Each face multiple charges including possession for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of firearms, careless use of firearms, and three counts of possession of property obtained by crime valued over $5,000.
Schneider faces additional charges of possession of firearms and ammunition contrary to court orders, and failure to comply with release conditions.
Both were taken to the Wainwright RCMP detachment following their arrest. Schneider remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Wainwright Court of Justice on Oct. 16. He will also face Saskatchewan charges via CCTV.
Sylvestre is set to appear in Lloydminster, Alta., court on Oct. 16, and Lloydminster, Sask., court on Oct. 20.
