ELK POINT - Officers of the RCMP's Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EAD CRU) arrested five people after a suspect pointed a firearm at a police officer.
On April 29, members of the EAD CRU were patrolling between Elk Point and Kitscoty when they attempted to stop a vehicle. The car fled and another officer in the area located the suspect heading over the Heinsburg bridge on Hwy. 893.
According to a press release, as the officer activated their emergency lights, "one of the occupants in the suspect vehicle pointed a firearm at the RCMP officer."
The vehicle began to drive in reverse, heading south back over the bridge. It rolled into the west ditch where the officer conducted a high-risk vehicle stop and arrests while awaiting backup from the Elk Point and Kitscoty RCMP.
Five occupants were arrested and a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a loaded shotgun and ammunition.
Aaron Evan Nathan Smith, 33 of Frog Lake, was charged with nine weapons and firearms offences, aggravated assault, flight from a peace officer, and possession of methamphetamine. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in St. Paul court May 13.
Marina Dawn Smith, a 31-year-old Frog Lake female, was charged with three weapons and firearms-related offences, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resist/obstruct a peace officer, and possession of methamphetamine. Smith was remanded into custody to appear in court on May 16.
Thirty-two-year-old Leroy Johnson Janvier of the Elizabeth Métis Settlement was charged with a firearms offence, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resist/obstruct a peace officer, and possession of methamphetamine. He was released to appear in court May 13.
Fishing Lake Métis Settlement resident Murvanna Kay Flamond was charged with a firearms offence, flight from a peace officer, possession of methamphetamine, and failing to comply. The 28-year-old was released and is set to attend court May 13.
Leticia Dumont, 26 of Ponoka, was charged with a firearms offence and flight from a peace officer. She was also released and is scheduled to attend court on May 13.
“The EAD CRU was in the right place at the right time that day,” said Sgt. David Graham, Commander of the EAD CRU in a release. “To be able to effectively respond and take a number of subjects engaging in criminal activity off our rural roadways.”
