On March 14, Loon Lake RCMP conducted a traffic safety check stop on Island Lake First Nation (also known as Ministikwan).
ISLAND LAKE FIRST NATION - More than 60 charges have been laid after a firearm and stolen cards were seized during a proactive check stop.
On March 14, Loon Lake RCMP conducted a traffic safety check stop on Island Lake First Nation (also known as Ministikwan).
The driver of one vehicle stopped was unable to provide a driver’s licence to officers when requested to do so. Further investigation determined the name he provided to the officers was false.
As a result of their continued investigation, officers located and seized a large quantity of ID and financial cards that did not belong to the occupants of the vehicle, a sawed-off firearm, ammunition, a small amount of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The driver and passenger of the vehicle were arrested.
Further investigation determined that a number of the ID and financial cards had been reported as stolen to various Alberta RCMP detachments.
A 28-year-old suspect and a 30-year-old suspect, both from Cold Lake, are each charged with:
- one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
- one count, possession of loaded prohibited firearm without licence;
- one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- one count, carrying a concealed weapon;
- one count, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number;
- 16 counts, unauthorized use of credit card information; and
- 10 counts, possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000.
The 28-year-old suspect is also charged with:
- one count, obstruct peace officer;
- one count, operation while prohibited;
- one count, possession of a firearm while knowing possession is unauthorized;
- one count unlicensed possession of a firearm and
- two counts, possession of a weapon contrary to order.
The 28-year-old suspect has been remanded into custody until his next appearance in court in Loon Lake on March 20. The 30-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in Loon Lake Provincial Court on April 17.
“Traffic check stops are an effective tool to help keep a community safe. We all know that they help officers take unsafe drivers off the street – and we did issue three roadside suspensions for alcohol or cannabis use that night. It’s also important to highlight that check stops also help us detect and disrupt criminal activity,” said Sgt. Earl Keewatin, from the Loon Lake RCMP, in the news release. “This one resulted in us recovering dozens of pieces of stolen ID and financial cards – and removing an illegal firearm from our community.”
