Four area residents have been caught in what area police are calling a planned operation to apprehend repeat offenders.
Information released by police today notes that last Wednesday a 24 year old man from Beaver Lake and and 34 year old woman from Lac La Biche who were both wanted on outstanding warrants were arrested after RCMP on a patrol along the Elinor Lake Road spotted them driving a pickup truck.
A check of the vehicle indicated it had been reported stolen out of the Smoky Lake area. When police attempted to pull the vehicle over, it sped away.
Local RCMP were assisted by the Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Reduction Unit, as well as the St. Paul and Cold Lake RCMP Police Dog Services.
After a short pursuit, a spike belt deployed across an area road disabled the truck — but the two occupants ran into an adjacent wooded area.
"... but were arrested after a lengthy police dog track," says Lac La Biche RCMP spokesperson Corporal Ronald Bumbry.
Police say a sawed-off shotgun was found inside the pickup.
Chad Gladue had outstanding warrants for 15 Criminal Code offences. He was additionally charged with 13 offences from this incident, some of which include: Flight from police, Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Careless use of firearm, Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, Possession of stolen property over $5000, and four counts of failing to comply with release order.
He has been remanded into custody after a judicial hearing and is set to appear in Lac La Biche Provincial Court on Nov. 2, 2020.
Gina Huppie had outstanding warrants for 11 Criminal Code offences. She was additionally charged with nine offences from this incident, some of which include: Careless use of firearm, two counts of Possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose, Obstruct a peace officer , and two counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon.
She was released after a judicial hearing and is set to appear in Lac La Biche Provincial Court on Nov. 2, 2020.
Damien Quintal (35) of Conklin, Alta., and Murray Laboucane (55) of Lac La Biche were also arrested during last week's targeted police operation. Each were arrested in separate residences in the Lac La Biche area for their outstanding warrants.
“The collaboration with several units was a success,” says Lac La Biche RCMP Sgt. Charles Brown. “We will continue these types of initiatives to reduce crime in our communities and bring those who are wanted before the courts.”
