LAKELAND - A joint RCMP operation involving several detachments and specialized units took place in the MD of Bonnyville and St. Paul County on Sept. 23. As a result, three men were arrested.
"That morning, members of the Elk Point RCMP, Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), Cold Lake Police Dog Services (PDS) and RCMP Air Services were successful in arresting several wanted individuals in the Frog Lake and Fishing Lake area," according to RCMP.
"One of the wanted offenders ran through the woods in an effort to escape, but was followed by the RCMP helicopter and quickly apprehended by a police dog. Another male, who was bound by a firearms prohibition, was found to be sleeping inside a vehicle holding a firearm. He was arrested without incident."
The operation continued with an attempted traffic stop of another wanted male who was in a vehicle on the Elizabeth Métis Settlement, but the vehicle fled from police at high speeds.
Cold Lake RCMP, Bonnyville RCMP and the Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit then became involved in the operation to assist. The vehicle was followed by the helicopter until it came to a stop in Bonnyville. Once in Bonnyville, the offender ran on foot from police who then gave chase and followed him into a residence where he was arrested, according to RCMP.
“Collaboration with multiple units and detachments resulted in these arrests,” said Cst. Guillaume Wilson, EADRCRU. “We will continue these operations to seek out those who try to evade police.”
Cody Lacombe, 22, of Fishing Lake, was apprehended with the police dog in Frog Lake. He was charged with resisting a peace officer and was arrested for his outstanding charges, which included:
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (x2)
- Flight from a peace officer (x2)
- Assault with a weapon
Lacombe was remanded into custody following a judicial hearing and is set to appear in St. Paul Provincial Court on Oct. 1.
Clayton Huppie, 37, of Lac La Biche, was found with the firearm in a vehicle, and was charged with multiple offences, including:
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon contrary to an order (x3)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Failing to comply with conditions of a release order (x5)
Huppie was remanded into custody following a judicial hearing and is set to appear in St. Paul Provincial Court on Oct. 8.
Fergus Brosseau, 44, of Fishing Lake was apprehended after a foot chase in Bonnyville. He was charged with common nuisance-endanger life, resist peace officer, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operation while prohibited, fail to comply with a release order and was arrested for his outstanding charges, which included:
- Flight from a peace officer
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Failing to comply with a release order
He was remanded into custody and his next court appearance is set for Oct. 15 in St. Paul Provincial Court.