NORTH BATTLEFORD – Police have arrested two people and are searching for one more suspect in connection to the incidents in Maidstone, Biggar, Poundmaker Cree Nation, Maymont area, and the Battlefords.
Leonard Wuttunee, 48, from Moosomin First Nation, and Dennis Kennedy, 34, from Red Pheasant First Nation, are charged in connection to all of the incidents. Veronica Whitford, 44, from Battleford, is charged in connection to the Maidstone incident.
The alleged crime spree spanned three-days.
On May 14, a grey F-350 Super Duty Ford truck with Saskatchewan license plate 720 KBF was reported stolen out of North Battleford. The same day, just before midnight, Maidstone RCMP responded to report of an armed robbery at a home involving a firearm in Maidstone. Police say that two men wearing ski masks and a woman demanded money from those at the home. When the suspects left the residence, one of them shot a bullet from a firearm into the air. There were no injuries reported to police. Officers responded immediately and observed the F-350 fleeing the area. Maidstone RCMP advised surrounding detachments to be on the lookout for the truck.
On May 15, at about 10 p.m, Cut Knife RCMP officers were patrolling on Poundmaker Cree Nation when they spotted the truck and activated their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop. The truck didn’t stop and fled at a high rate of speed. Officers patrolled and extensively searched for the truck but it wasn’t located.
On May 16, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Battlefords RCMP found the truck on 110th Street in North Battleford and officers activated their emergency lights trying to get the truck to pull over.
About 12 hours later, on May 16, Biggar RCMP received a report of a firearm being discharged at a rural property in the RM of Glenside. Police determined the truck entered the property and a group of men tried to steal diesel from a tractor. The suspects discharged a firearm when fleeing the property. Biggar RCMP immediately patrolled the area for the truck but it wasn’t found.
Sask. RCMP had issued a Crime Watch Advisory for Biggar RCMP detachment area on May 16 at 3:41 p.m. saying "vehicle has rammed police, suspects are armed." In a media release on May 17, however, RCMP said that it was a Battlefords RCMP police vehicle that was rammed. The driver didn’t stop and rammed a police vehicle. The officers weren’t injured but the vehicle was damaged to the point of being inoperable. The truck was located on Highway 4 and officers once again attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled.
Then, the night of May 16, Warman RCMP got a report of a fuel theft in Maymont potentially involving the suspect truck. Soon after, they received a report the truck was observed leaving a gas station on the Yellowhead Highway near Radisson. Officers patrolled the area, located the truck on Highway 16 near the Borden Bridge and attempted a traffic stop. The truck fled. Officers conducted extensive patrols. The truck wasn’t located.
The next day, at about 8:10 p.m. on May 17, Battlefords RCMP got a call about an assault on Moosomin First Nation. Police say an altercation occurred between a man and a woman and a firearm was discharged, injuring the woman. She was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The man took off in the truck.
About three-and-a-half hours later, Battlefords RCMP Gang Task Force found the grey Ford F-350 Super Duty Truck and tried stopping the vehicle. It didn’t stop and continued driving on local roads, several fields, then on to Terrirtorial Drive in North Battleord. It came to stop in a ditch and two occupants were arrested without incident. A third fled on foot. Officers patrolled the area and arrested an individual a short time later. This individual was later released without charge.
Wuttunee is charged with two counts robbery/theft, reckless discharged of a firearm, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, flight from police, two counts possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, two counts discharging a firearm with intent, two counts possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, pointing a firearm, assault causing bodily harm, possession of weapons contrary to a court order, mischief, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Whitford is charged with robbery, reckless discharge of a firearm, flight from police, mischief, and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
Wuttunee and Whitford are scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court May 24.
Kennedy is charged with two counts of robbery/theft, reckless discharge of a firearm, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, two counts of flight from police, two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, discharging a firearm with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting arrest, mischief, and dangerous driving.
A warrant has been issued for Kennedy’s arrest and Saskatchewan RCMP are actively working to locate and arrest him. If you see Dennis Kennedy, don’t approach him. Contact police immediately.
Kennedy is approximately six-foot-two and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
If you see Dennis Kennedy or know where he is, contact Battlefords RCMP at 306-446-1720. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
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