Crime

Lac La Biche RCMP and Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Team arrest 10 in enforcement operation

Published

3 months ago

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Lac La Biche, Alberta – Between April 10, 2019 to April 12, 2019, the Lac La Biche RCMP and Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), in conjunction with Cold Lake Police Dog Services (PDS) and EAD Criminal Intelligence, conducted operations in the Lac La Biche area which resulted in 10 arrests, search warrants being executed, the seizure of firearms and drugs, and the recovery of several stolen vehicles.

On April 10, 2019, EADRCRU and Lac La Biche RCMP located a stolen truck in a rural location South of Lac La Biche near Highway 36. Two individuals in a residence near where the stolen vehicle was located were wanted on outstanding warrants from Rocky Mountain House, Smoky Lake, Beaumont, St Paul, and Edmonton. Both were arrested.

A 16-year-old from Beaumont, who cannot be named due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), was arrested for outstanding warrants, which included charges of:

Resisting a peace officer
Failing to comply with conditions of a youth sentence order

The male was released to an adult and is scheduled to appear in court in Edmonton on May 22, 2019 and Lac La Biche on May 24, 2019.

Tyler Monias (19) from St Paul was arrested for outstanding warrants, which included charges of:

Failing to attend court
Failing to comply with a recognizance (X3)
Failing to comply with the conditions of a youth sentence order

He was additionally charged with resisting a peace officer and failing to comply with a recognizance. He was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Rocky Mountain House on April 24, 2019 and Fort Saskatchewan on May 9, 2019.

The stolen vehicle was towed for forensic analysis.

Later that day, a vehicle was spotted by EADRCRU avoiding Peace Officers conducting traffic control on the South end of Lac La Biche. RCMP members stopped the vehicle and learned that the driver was criminally prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.

Joel Hope-Jackson (29) of Hay River was charged with driving while prohibited. He was released and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on June 10, 2019.

RCMP members then moved to a residence in Beaver Lake where they determined a priority offender was hiding from police. RCMP members entered the residence and located the offender in the basement who resisted arrest, but was apprehended without injury.

Aaron Anderson (33) from Beaver Lake was charged with resisting a peace officer and was arrested for his outstanding warrants, which included charges of:

Failing to comply with a recognizance (X3)
Resisting a peace officer (X2)
Escaping lawful custody

He was held in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on April 15, 2019.

On April 11, 2019, EADRCRU and Cold Lake PDS located two stolen vehicles nearby a residence in Heart Lake while looking for a priority offender in that area. Another male wanted on outstanding warrant from Edmonton was also located nearby and arrested.

Cody ERASMUS (37) of Heart Lake, was arrested for his outstanding charges, which included:

Fraud
Possession of a stolen credit card
Possession of property obtained by crime (X3)
Failing to comply with a probation order (X2)
Dangerous driving
Flight from police (X2)
Obstructing a peace officer

He was later released and is scheduled to appear in court in Edmonton on May 8, 2019.

The search for the priority offender continued and brought RCMP members to a row of apartment buildings in Lac La Biche. During the search of an apartment of interest, EADRCRU located another wanted offender and arrested him without incident.

Tristan Monias (22) of Heart Lake was arrested for his outstanding charges from Lac La Biche, which included:

Aggravated assault
Breaking and entering
Theft of truck (X2)
Mischief

He was held in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on April 15, 2019.

Further investigation in the apartment buildings resulted in RCMP uncovering a drug trafficking operation being run out of one of the apartments. RCMP members executed a search warrant on the apartment and recovered stolen firearms, prohibited devices, over 35 grams of a substance believed to be crack-cocaine packaged for sale, nearly 400 grams of cannabis, and approximately 250 “scratch and win” style lottery tickets.

Clayton Lucier (30) of Lac La Biche was charged with multiple offences, which include:

Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling
Possession of a prohibited weapon (X2)
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of property obtained by crime
Possession of a weapon obtained by crime (X2)
Unsafe storage of a firearm (X2)

He was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on April 29, 2019.

“Getting illegal guns off of the street is a priority for our unit,” said Cst. Guillaume Wilson (EADRCRU). “It’s particularly concerning in this case that the firearms were seized in such close proximity to an elementary and middle school. We will continue to partner with the Lac La Biche RCMP to do everything we can to eradicate this type of crime in the community.”

Late that afternoon, an anonymous tip was received indicating the location of the priority offender EADRCRU had been looking for earlier that morning. RCMP members intercepted a vehicle the offender was occupying in Lac La Biche. The offender tried escaping, but was quickly apprehended by EADRCRU after a short foot chase.

Cason Monias (18) of Lac La Biche was charged with resisting a peace officer (X2) and failing to comply with a probation order (X2). He was also arrested for his outstanding warrants, which included charges of:

Failing to comply with a youth order (X6)
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (X2)

He was held in custody following a hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on April 15, 2019.

On April 12, 2019, as a result of collaboration with the Strathcona County General Investigation Section, a joint operation was organized by EADRCRU, Lac La Biche RCMP, Cold Lake PDS, and EAD Criminal Intelligence to apprehend Clayton Huppie who was wanted in connection with an armed robbery incident in Sherwood Park. A Crime Stoppers tip had been received that Huppie was hiding at a residence in Beaver Lake.

RCMP members located the residence and surrounded it. RCMP members entered the residence and located Huppie hiding in the basement of the house with another male. Both were arrested and a prohibited firearm was also recovered. Additionally, a stolen vehicle hidden behind the residence was located by EADRCRU.

Clayton Huppie (35) of Lac La Biche was arrested for his outstanding charges, which included:

Robbery
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Driving while prohibited
Failing to comply with a recognizance (X3)

He was also charged with several new offences, including:

Failing to comply with conditions of a recognizance
Possession of a prohibited firearm
Possession of a weapon contrary to an order

He was remanded in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in Sherwood Park on April 24, 2019 and Lac La Biche on April 15, 2019.

Brian Boostrom (24) of Lac La Biche was charged with resisting a peace officer and failing to comply with a probation order.

He was released and is scheduled to appear in court in Lac La Biche on May 13, 2019.

“The offenders operating in Eastern Alberta need to recognize that EADRCRU is not going away,” said Cst. Wilson. “We are going to continue using an intelligence based approach and partnerships to apprehend offenders and make our communities safer.”

Crime

Vegreville RCMP charge seven and seize drugs after search warrants executed

Published

18 hours ago

July 16, 2019

Lloyd Lewis

July 16, 2019

Vegreville, Alta. – On July 12, 2019, the Vegreville RCMP with assistance of the Tofield and Viking Detachments, Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit, Police Dog Services and Edmonton ALERT executed simultaneous search warrants on two residences in the Town of Vegreville. A short time later a third search warrant was executed on a vehicle.

In total, seven persons were arrested and charged with a number of drug, weapons and other offences. A total of 70 grams of methamphetamine, 155 grams of marihuana, heroin, cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia and numerous edged weapons were seized.

The following persons have been charged:

Brendan John Lebid (36) of Vegreville was charged with 28 offences some of which include, trafficking in controlled substances, weapon/firearm prohibitions, breach of court orders
Gordon Donald Brown (63) of Vegreville was charged with trafficking in controlled substance (x2) and possession or property obtained by crime (x2)
Leon Jordan Tremblay (33) of Vegreville was charged with trafficking in controlled substance (x2), breaching court orders (x2) and a wepons offence
Crystal Lea Williams (31) of Vegreville was charged with trafficking in controlled substances (x2) and possession of property obtained by crime (x2)
Sherry Lynn Cannan (31) of Vegreville was charged with trafficking in controlled substance (x4) and eight other offences
Kevin Duane Vrodlak (49) of Snow Lake, Manitoba was charged with obstruction (x2). At the time of his arrest he was also wanted on outstanding warrants out of Vegreville, Edmonton and Hinton
Bernie Patrick Chrapko (63) of Vegreville was charged with six offences which included: trafficking in controlled substances, possession of property obtained by crime and breaching court orders

The accused appeared in Vegreville Provincial Court on Monday July 15, 2019.

“This investigation was over a six-month period and through the diligence of investigators efforts were made to disrupt the illicit drug trade along with reducing crimes that are common within the subculture,” says Corporal Leigh Drinkwater, Vegreville Detachment. “This investigation will certainly serve to reduce a number of crimes in the Town of Vegreville and surrounding areas.”

Crime

Major bust nets a million in drugs and cash

Published

6 days ago

July 11, 2019

Lloyd Lewis

Project Embrace Makes 6 Arrests,
$1 Million in Seizures

Edmonton… A drug trafficking network that spanned Alberta and British Columbia has been dismantled. ALERT’s Project Embrace has resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of over $1 million worth of drugs and cash.

Project Embrace was a nine-month investigation that targeted all facets of the suspected criminal network’s operation, including supply, distribution, and street-level sales. ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team led the investigation with the assistance of British Columbia’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and Bonnyville RCMP.

More than six kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of methamphetamine were seized, along with more than $342,000 in cash. In addition, half a dozen suspects were charged, with the most recent arrests taking place in late June 2019.

Project Embrace collected evidence to suggest an Edmonton-based group coordinated the supply of drugs from British Columbia, and then facilitated distribution in Alberta – specifically in the communities of Bonnyville, Lloydminster, St. Paul, Cold Lake, Little Smoky and Frog Lake.

Investigators allege that Matthew Castle was at the centre of the Edmonton group, which involved family members and associates. Castle allegedly conspired with B.C.-based David Davinder Lally and Jacob Fralin to import drugs into Alberta.

Six homes were searched, including four in Edmonton and two Vancouver apartments. In total, investigators seized:

6.5 kilograms of cocaine;
2 kilograms of methamphetamine;
18 kilograms of a cocaine buffing agent;
$342,982 cash; and
a 2007 Volvo XC90 with a hidden mechanized compartment.

The following suspects were each charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs, in addition to a range of other offences:

Matthew Castle, 29, from Edmonton;
Terri Lynn Castle, 50, from Edmonton
Christian Castle-Wasson, 18, from Edmonton;
David Davinder Lally, 40, from Vancouver;
Jacob Fralin, 32, from Vancouver; and
Ryan Rautiainen, 26, from Lloydminster.

Project Embrace began in October 2018 when Bonnyville RCMP developed criminal intelligence about drug trafficking taking place in the area.

In conjunction with Project Embrace, Bonnyville RCMP arrested a number of street-level dealers in separate investigations. Each of the following was charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking:

Charlie Houle, 24, from Bonnyville;
Brent Coell, 18, from Bonnyville;
Rayden Hill, 22, from Bonnyville;
Michael Pownall, 36, from Bonnyville;
Britney Coulombe, 27, from Bonnyville;
Wayne Friesen, 27, from Bonnyville;
Tyanna John, 21, from Bonnyville; and
Dustin Gellerman, 27, from Bonnyville.

A number of other police agencies were involved in Project Embrace, including Edmonton Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, RCMP K-Division, Kamloops RCMP, Lloydminster RCMP, Cold Lake RCMP, Elk Point RCMP, Kitscoty RCMP and St. Paul RCMP.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.