BONNYVILLE – RCMP have charged two men in relation to an assault and carjacking that is alleged to have taken place on the morning of Oct. 15 at a hotel parking lot along the town of Bonnyville’s Main Street.
Bonnyville RCMP received a call at 9:30 a.m. reporting that a carjacking was in progress.
“The victim had just parked his SUV and exited when a male approached him from behind, assaulted him then got into the victim’s vehicle and drove off,” according to a RCMP media release.
“The victim watched as his car went across the street, stopped and a second male entered the SUV as a passenger.”
An RCMP member responded immediately to the call and quickly located the victim walking on the road.
The victim pointed out his vehicle driving away from the scene, according to police.
The officer engaged with the stolen vehicle that was travelling with two occupants in it, attempting to pull it over. The vehicle did not pull over and continued to flee, states RCMP.
A short while later, another call came in regarding the same vehicle, stating it had hit the ditch near Range Road 460 and Twp Rd 601A.
RCMP attended the scene and were able to locate the suspected driver.
Bryce Brertton, 35, of St. Paul was arrested and brought before a Justice of the Peace. Brertton has been charged with robbery, assault with a weapon, flight from police and dangerous driving. He is set to appear in court on Nov. 1.
The alleged passenger of the stolen vehicle, 44-year-old Bruce Poitras of Kehewin, has been charged with robbery and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
A warrant has been issued for Poitras in relation to the Oct. 15 incident.
