On Sept. 24, following on-going tips from the public and collaboration between several RCMP Detachments and specialized units, a suspect who is alleged to have repeatedly fled from RCMP in stolen vehicles in the Elk Point and St. Paul areas was apprehended in Lloydminster following a short foot pursuit and police dog track, according to an RCMP media release.
This apprehension wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of the public and the joint effort between the Elk Point, St. Paul, and Lloydminster RCMP, St. Paul and Lloydminster Police Dog Services (PDS), and the Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU).
Further investigation conducted by EADRCRU, with the assistance of St. Paul Forensic Identification Services (FIS) as well as information sharing with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), revealed that the individual in custody was responsible for multiple files across several provinces from various RCMP detachments and other police services. As a result of EADRCRU involvement, evidence has led to more than 10 investigative files being solved throughout western Canada.
The investigation revealed that the individual and another male are alleged to be responsible for the theft of a truck in Ontario that had been reported to the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). They then fled from police in Ontario and Manitoba until they arrived in Alberta.
Following the arrival in Alberta, they fled from EADRCRU members in the County of St. Paul on Sept. 7. Police did not continue a pursuit for public safety at the time. Following this incident, they are alleged to have committed break-ins to the Whitney Lake United Church Camp and Whitney Lake Bible Camp where damage was done to several buildings on the properties. They are alleged to have stolen a van from the bible camp, which was then used to commit a break and enter in Edmonton.
Following the Edmonton break and enter, a small car was stolen by one of the suspects from the city and subsequently spotted several times in the St. Paul and Elk Point area. Members of the public provided tips to RCMP on the whereabouts of the stolen car. Several attempts were made to stop the vehicle, but RCMP did not engage in pursuits again for public safety reasons.
On Sept. 20, St. Paul RCMP attempted to box in the stolen car at an apartment complex in St. Paul and arrest both suspects inside. The suspects fled, striking a police car and nearly injuring an RCMP member, in the process.
On Sept. 24, EADRCRU, St. Paul PDS, and Elk Point RCMP worked jointly on an operation to apprehend the suspects. A member of the public reported the suspect vehicle to police and as a result an arrest of one of the male suspects was made in Lloydminster by PDS after a short foot pursuit and dog tracking.
“These two individuals are suspected of causing multiple crimes across several provinces,” says Constable Guillaume Wilson. “We are glad we were able to stop further offences from occurring.”
Justin Lang (24) of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia is facing numerous charges including: Flight from police; Assaulting a peace officer; Resisting a peace officer; Dangerous driving; Possession of property obtained by crime; and Driving while disqualified.
He was remanded into custody and is awaiting several court dates in multiple jurisdictions.
The remaining male, Kyle Lang (19) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was apprehended by Saskatchewan RCMP on Sept. 26, 2018. He is also being held in custody in Saskatoon.
Several stolen vehicles were recovered during this ongoing, widespread police response. Police from multiple jurisdictions are currently laying additional charges as a result of the evidence gathered by EADRCRU in relation to the multi-provincial crime spree that covered Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Sept. 25 arrests
According to a separate RCMP media release, On Sept. 25, the Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU) along with Elk Point RCMP were in the Frog Lake and Fishing Lake area in an effort to locate a male wanted on outstanding warrants.
The investigation took them into the Elizabeth Lake Metis Settlement after information was received that the male had been observed at a residence in the area.
Police arrived at the residence and further investigation resulted in all occupants being arrested. A search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Cold Lake General Investigation Section (GIS) and the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment. Several prohibited weapons, firearms, drugs, and stolen property were located and seized.
Loretta Jacknife (44) of Cold Lake has been charged with: Careless use of a firearm; Unauthorized possession of a firearm; Possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number; Fail to comply with conditions of an undertaking; Possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking under $5,000; Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
She was released after a judicial hearing and will be appearing in Cold Lake Provincial Court on Oct. 24, 2018.
Brenda Jacknife (32) of Cold Lake has been charged with: Obstructing a peace officer; fail to comply with a probation order.
At the time of her arrest Brenda Jacknife was also wanted on a outstanding warrant. She was released after a judicial hearing and will be appearing in Cold Lake Provincial Court on Oct. 17. No other individuals from the residence were charged in relation to this incident and the wanted male was arrested several days later.
