LAC LA BICHE – A Lac La Biche area man couldn’t escape the long arm of the law, or the long paws of the law as RCMP say officers and a K-9 unit arrested a suspected burglar after a 10-kilometre trek through rough terrain near Floating Stone Lake on Dec. 2.
Lotus, a St. Paul based four-legged member of the regional RCMP Police Dog Service lead other Mounties to the hiding spot of a man who police say had tried to out-run and out-distance police during a December 2 call for a suspected break and enter at the remote subdivision southeast of Lac La Biche within the St. Paul RCMP jurisdiction.
St. Paul RCMP say that just before 8 that night officers received a complaint of a theft occurring at a seasonal property at the subdivision located east of Boyne Lake and north of Highway 28 near Ashmont.
Watching on camera
St. Paul RCMP Sgt. David Graham told the POST that police — and Lotus — were called by a property owner who was away from the area, but watching live surveillance images of their property. The owner had contacted a neighbour at Floating Stone to investigate as police made their way. The suspect reportedly ran from the scene when the neighbour approached
St. Paul RCMP, including an officer attached to Lotus, attended the scene and began to track the suspect. After approximately 10 kilometres of following leads, the suspect was located and arrested.
“It was pretty remote, rural out there, so we went through farmers’ fields, around the highway and lots of tall grass,” explained Graham, saying the police dog, Lotus, kept the scent through all of it.
The suspect was found hiding in tall grass. He gave himself up to police without incident when Lotus found his hiding spot.
Graham said Lotus is relatively new to the force, and has only been serving the region for the last few months. While the dog is housed in the St. Paul district, Graham said it is a provincial asset and can take part in search activities across the region.
Jade John Mountain, 23, of Lac La Biche has been charged with two counts of break and enter, two counts of mischief, two counts of possession of stolen property, and two counts of theft over $5,000.
Police say Mountain is also a suspect in additional crimes in the Floating Stone Lake area, as well as Lac La Biche, and is facing additional charges of dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, and uttering threats. Mountain was also wanted on several outstanding criminal warrants.
“Through the watchful eye of a community member and the assistance of our support units we were able to track down a suspect believed responsible for a number of crimes in the area," said Graham.
Mountain is being held in custody until his next court appearance. The POST is currently working to update the status of the case with Alberta Justice.
