BONNYVILLE – RCMP have charged two individuals following a break and enter at a Bonnyville business and a subsequent incident that involved a stolen vehicle ramming a police vehicle.
On Nov. 14, between midnight and 2 a.m., a man and woman allegedly broke into a local business located along 50th Ave. between 56 St. and 58 St. The pair is also suspected of breaking into several vehicles.
According to RCMP, “The pair were caught on video surveillance and identified during an altercation with police within an hour of the break-in.”
At 2:20 a.m., RCMP members of the Bonnyville detachment were conducting proactive patrols and noticed a suspicious vehicle parked and running in a local fast food parking lot, stated a report by RCMP.
“Members covertly approached the truck which was confirmed to be stolen and noted two occupants sleeping inside. As officers were getting into position to arrest the occupants, they woke up and put the stolen truck in gear and rammed one of the police vehicles in an attempt to escape,” according to RCMP.
“The driver of the stolen truck then lost control and struck another vehicle in the parking lot, effectively disabling the stolen truck.”
The two occupants of the vehicle, suspected of being associated to the business break-in that took place earlier that evening, were then arrested without further incident and remanded into custody.
Police say a firearm was located and was improperly stored in the vehicle.
A 22-year-old man from Fishing Lake and a 21-year-old woman from Cold Lake are facing charges of break and enter, three counts of mischief.
RCMP add that the 22-year-old man from Fishing Lake suspected of being associated to the Nov. 14 business break-in is also facing charges for numerous offences following the altercation with police and the alleged ramming of a police vehicle, along with colliding with the nearby parked vehicle.
The man is facing charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of mischief over $5,000, resisting arrest, possession of an unauthorized firearm, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, careless storage of a firearm, operate motor vehicle while impaired, failing to comply with an alcohol demand, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, common nuisance, assault of police officer with a weapon, drive uninsured motor vehicle, two counts of driving while prohibited, and five counts of failing to comply with condition.
The 21-year-old woman from Cold Lake is also facing similar charges, including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of mischief over $5,000, three counts of failing to comply with conditions, possession of an unauthorized firearm, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon contrary to order and assault of a police officer with a weapon.
Both individuals are set to appear in Bonnyville Provincial Court on Nov. 23 and Feb. 1, according to RCMP.
