BONNYVILLE – A U-Haul transport vehicle was stopped near Franchere by Bonnyville RCMP based on a report of fuel theft that occurred earlier in the morning of Oct. 18. The vehicle was allegedly found to contain various restricted weapons and stolen mail.
RCMP have arrested and laid charges against three people in connection to the located weapons, however, there was insufficient evidence to charge the U-Haul occupants for fuel theft, according to RCMP.
On Oct. 18, a rural resident contacted the Bonnyville RCMP at 8:15 a.m., to report a U-Haul and three suspicious individuals on his property that he suspected of stealing fuel from his yard.
“The suspects fled in the U-Haul and [the] homeowner gave chase while RCMP were en route,” states an RCMP media release.
The homeowner was directed by police to pull over and stop chasing the U-Haul.
The U-Haul was later located by RCMP on Highway 660 near Franchere.
A Crossbow and firearms case were reported to be found by the officer who arrested the three occupants, without incident, from the transport vehicle.
A subsequent search of the U-Haul allegedly uncovered a rifle, other weapons and a stack of mail belonging to residents of Warspite, AB.
An investigation by RCMP determined via the Smoky Lake Post Office that the recovered mail had been stolen that same morning.
“While there was insufficient evidence to charge the trio with theft of fuel, they are being held accountable for the firearm, crossbow and other weapons, including additional composite bows, a long gun pellet gun, an air soft pistol and a medieval style axe,” say RCMP.
A 40-year-old man from Cold Lake is charged with possession of weapons contrary to order and possession of a firearm when unauthorized.
He is set to appear in Court on Dec. 6.
A 42-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, from Bonnyville are facing charges of unauthorized possession of a firearm. They are both set to appear in Court Nov. 1.
The Bonnyville woman is additionally charged with possession of matters stolen from mail.
Names of those charged in the Tuesday morning incident were not provided by police.
Bonnyville RCMP are further reminding the public that chasing suspects is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted.
“Chasing suspects puts the life of the property owner and other motorists and nearby residents at risk, especially when it turns out the suspects are in possession of weapons,” states Staff Sgt. Sarah Parke, with the Bonnyville RCMP detachment.
