PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The Prince Albert Police Service Crime Reduction Team (CRT) has arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with a break-in at a city hotel where an RCMP officer’s service pistol and other police equipment were stolen.
Through the course of their investigation, CRT members identified a male suspect and located him at a home in the East Flat neighbourhood, in the 900 block of 2nd Street East. The event was deemed high risk, categorized as a critical incident, prompting the deployment of specialized resources and evacuating adults and children from the home, who were assisted by the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis.
The suspect surrendered to police and was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was executed at the residence. The suspect has been charged with break and enter with intent and breach of a release order. He will make his first court appearance on Sept. 4. His name hasn’t been released yet.
First arrest made earlier that day
On Sept. 2, Saskatchewan RCMP arrested 42-year-old Leonard Bear in connection to the same incident. Bear is charged with break and enter with intent and made his first court appearance on Sept. 3.
At approximately 1:43 a.m., police received a report of a break and enter at the hotel in the Southwood area, in the 300 block of 38th Street West. An RCMP member reported that he had returned to his locked room and discovered equipment had been stolen. An RCMP pistol, five magazines, a baton, pepper spray, an RCMP shirt and other equipment were stolen.
A search of the hotel area by both Prince Albert Police Service and RCMP members have led to the recovery of many of the stolen items, including a conducted energy device, police duty jacket, vest, body-worn camera and radio. The RCMP pistol hasn't been recovered.
Police are working to identify additional suspects and recover any remaining police equipment.
The Prince Albert Police Service Critical Incident Response is the coordinated deployment of command, tactical, negotiation, and specialist resources under a unified incident command structure to manage high-risk or complex events. Members of Patrol, Canine, the Prince Albert Police Service Emergency Response Team, the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team, Negotiators, Crime Reduction Team, Proactive Policing Unit and Forensic Identification Section assisted with this investigation.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Prince Albert Police Service at 306-953-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
