An incident that unfolded north of Prince Albert on Tuesday drew in resources from RCMP Police Dog Services and air support from Saskatoon.
A man was arrested and charged with firearms offences.
It began with the report of a stolen SUV in the Prince Albert Detachment area Tuesday afternoon. The vehicle was reported to have firearms in it.
It was located abandoned in a wooded area near Macdowall and a report from a member of the public indicated a male carrying a firearm was walking southbound along a wooded trail on the edge of the Nesbitt Forest in the same area.
Prince Albert RCMP and RCMP Police Dog Services responded to the scene and began a search for the male that extended into the evening.
Saskatoon Police Service was also contacted and asked if they would be able to provide air support to help locate the individual. They were successful in spotting the individual in a heavily wooded, remote area southeast of Macdowall.
William "Billy" Sanderson, 35, was arrested without further incident by police officers and a firearm was seized from the scene.
“The teamwork between all involved units and officers was ultimately what led this investigation to a safe resolution for everyone involved,” shares Insp. Murray Chamberlin, North District RCMP Operations Officer. “Imagine being in full police uniform with all your safety equipment and gear on, running through the woods and down makeshift trails for six kilometers with an RCMP police service dog in the darkness. You’re being guided by partners in the air and supported by additional officers on the ground, running towards an individual who reportedly has a firearm. Challenging doesn’t begin to describe situations like this. I’m extremely proud of the work of everyone involved and so thankful the situation ended without further incident.”
Sanderson is charged with:
- carry a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- possession of firearm while prohibited;
- carry a firearm in a careless manner;
- point firearm.
He also had multiple outstanding warrants from Melfort RCMP and Prince Albert Police Service. He appeared in court and was remanded for Aug. 26 in Prince Albert.
