Sometime between May 26 and May 29, unknown persons knocked over a number of gravestones in the catholic cemetery behind Racette School. RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects and can be contacted directly at (780) 645-8870 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Hit and run
Two Hills RCMP are investigating a vehicle that hit a pedestrian in a wheelchair and fled the scene on May 29. A suspect driving a red truck backed out of a parking stall in front of the Andrew Co-op food store and hit the pedestrian.
The driver picked up the pedestrian and placed him in the wheelchair, according to a press release, and then fled the scene. The pedestrian wheeled himself to his residence at Andrew Lodge. An ambulance transported him to Smoky Lake Hospital for treatment of injuries. The driver is described as Caucasian and around 40 to 50 years old.
St. Paul RCMP report
St. Paul RCMP reported 660 responses to complaints in the month of May, an average call volume for the detachment, noted spokesman Cst. Sam Montasser in an interview. The detachment receives more calls generally in the summer months.
On May 21, St. Paul RCMP responded to a residential fire in Goodfish Lake. Upon investigation it was determined that the fire was deliberately set. A 47-year-old from Goodfish Lake was charged with arson.
On May 12, RCMP attended the Hideaway Lounge to investigate a complaint of impaired driving. Two males were arrested and transported to the St. Paul detachment where they engaged the arresting officer in a physical confrontation. RCMP charged two males, a 37-year-old and a 42-year-old from St. Paul with assault on a peace officer.
RCMP laid six charges for resisting or obstructing a peace officer in May. “It’s a problem we probably regularly encounter, especially when drugs or alcohol are a factor,” said Montasser, adding the charge could include providing a false name or interfering with the duties of a peace officer.
On May 6, St. Paul RCMP executed a search warrant on a rural residence where a firearm and a substance believed to be cocaine were seized. A 22-year-old from St. Paul was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
During the early morning hours of May 1, St. Paul RCMP engaged in a pursuit with a vehicle believed to be driven by an impaired driver. The driver fled and led police on a 30 minute pursuit, before police disengaged. A 20-year-old from Cold Lake is wanted for flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Later that evening, RCMP attempted to stop a different vehicle, but were again evaded by the driver. A 29-year-old was arrested the next day and charged for flight from police and driving while disqualified along with other provincial offences.
It’s rare for two flights from police in one day, said Montasser. “Public safety is our number one priority and you have to balance that with the need to apprehend somebody, also for public safety.” If RCMP can identify the driver, it disengages if there is a risk to the public.
St. Paul RCMP attended 12 collisions in May, which included four injury collisions and eight property damage collisions. RCMP also investigated two non-criminal deaths.
RCMP issued 82 tickets for traffic and liquor violations and laid eight charges related to impaired operation of a motor vehicle. RCMP laid seven criminal code driving charges, including criminal flight and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Police also laid eight charges for failing to comply with court orders and four charges for drug related offences. Police laid 29 charges for crimes against persons, including assaults, sexual assaults, uttering threats and robbery, as well as 13 charges for crimes against property, including break and enter, thefts, arson and mischief.
