Three people are in custody after a large-scale police operation drove into the Owl River area at the end of last week. Area motorists saw a wave of police vehicles heading through the Lac La Biche region towards the Owl River area that afternoon, as police members from several different department say they knew where to find three suspects wanted for several outstanding matters.
RCMP issued a news release about Thursday’s activity on Saturday.
During what Lac La Biche RCMP Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown described as a “planned and coordinated operation,” the three accused were located in a stolen vehicle on Highwy 858 north of Lac La Biche last Thursday afternoon.
Officers from several regional police departments, including air support and an emergency response tactical unit were in the area, says Nutbrown.
The Lac La Biche Crime Reduction Unit in partnership with the Lac La Biche RCMP Detachment, RCMP Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit, RCMP Air Services, St. Paul and Cold Lake RCMP Dog Service Units and the RCMP Emergency Response Team, located the suspect vehicle and arrested one male and two females on numerous charges after a short vehicle pursuit saw a pickup truck ram through a closed gate and race at high speeds down rural cutlines and bush trails. The vehicle was eventually stopped and the three occupants were taken into custody.
The accused were brought before a Justice of Peace in a Judicial Interim Release Hearing which resulted in all three being held in custody until their first court appearance in Lac La Biche Provincial Court this Monday.
Charges
Justice Mountain, 24, is facing charges of possession of property over $5000, dangerous driving, failing to stop while being pursued, break and enter, two counts of mischief and numerous provincial driving offenses
Mountain also had seven outstanding warrants for arrest out of Lac La Biche, which included arson, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to public, and possession of property over $5000
Mountain was also wanted on five outstanding warrants for arrest from the Edmonton Police Service.
Symone Steinhauer, 23, of Saddle Lake, is facing charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop while being pursued, break & enter, two counts of mischief, and two charges of failing to comply with a probation order.
Steinhauer was also wanted for an outstanding warrant of arrest from the Edmonton Police Service.
Nicole Makokis, 31, of Saddle Lake, is charged with failing to stop while being pursued, mischief, and failing to comply with a recognizance
Makokis was also wanted on an outstanding warrant of arrest from St Paul.