SASKATOON – Saskatoon police arrested a man who has been on the run for the past four years. Eugene Bird was arrested while riding a bicycle on 20th Street.
In December 2022, the Saskatchewan RCMP Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team [WEST] had launched an investigation into a 53-year-old Bird who was wanted for breach of statutory release since February 2019.
Over the following months, Saskatchewan RCMP WEST gathered information on the locations Bird was known to frequent. Initial information led investigators to determine Montreal Lake was Bird’s home community and he had possible ties to downtown Saskatoon. Investigators conducted neighbourhood inquiries and worked in collaboration with the Saskatoon Police Service to gather more information on his whereabouts and followed-up on possible sightings of Bird in an attempt to locate him.
On May 25, Saskatchewan RCMP WEST received a report of a confirmed sighting of Bird in downtown Saskatoon. Investigators responded immediately, but Bird left prior to their arrival. Saskatchewan RCMP WEST obtained a detailed description of Bird and his direction of travel. Investigators conducted proactive patrols of the area and soon spotted Bird travelling on a bicycle on 20th Street in Saskatoon. As a result of this investigation, Bird was returned to federal custody without incident.
Saskatchewan RCMP WEST would like to thank the Saskatoon Police Service with their assistance in this investigation.
The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team [SERT] consists of Saskatchewan RCMP's Crime Reduction Team [CRT] and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team [WEST], as well as the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team [STRT]. SERT helps Saskatchewan RCMP keeps communities safe. The Saskatchewan RCMP’s WEST supports the apprehension of high-profile offenders and gang members with outstanding warrants. WEST works throughout the entire province, in partnership with municipal police services.
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