A Meadow Lake man who was considered armed and dangerous when he was at large and wanted by police is seeking bail.
Raheem Hagan, 20, had an appearance in Meadow Lake Provincial Court June 3. A legal aid lawyer representing him asked the court for an adjournment to give Hagan time to hire a private lawyer. He is also seeking bail. The matter was adjourned to June 14.
Hagan was apprehended in Edmonton May 4 after Edmonton Police and Saskatchewan RCMP did a high-risk takedown in Edmonton and arrested Hagan, along with Christopher Ernest, 23, of Meadow Lake, and Christopher Michael Nolan, 21, from Lloydminster.
The three men were staying together at the West Edmonton Mall Inn but were wanted on warrants from separate incidents in Saskatchewan.
Hagan charged in incident where car shot at
Hagan was wanted in connection to an April 13 incident in Meadow Lake. Police say that at about midnight they responded to a report of shots fired outside of a business on the 600 block of 1st Avenue. One of the bullets hit the windshield of a passing vehicle. They say up to five people may have been involved. There were no injuries.
Hagan was charged with discharging a firearm with intent and reckless discharge of a firearm.
Nolan charged for January shooting
Nolan was wanted for a shooting in Meadow Lake in January. According to Meadow Lake RCMP, shortly before 7 a.m. on Jan. 4, they received six calls that a white car in the Cochin Avenue area in Meadow Lake had been shot at. The car hit a power pole and caught fire. Police say there were multiple bullet holes in the car and they believe the incident was gang-related.
A man was treated in Meadow Lake Hospital before being transported to a hospital in Saskatoon.
Police arrested Nolan at a residence on the 100 block of Carter Place in Meadow Lake on April 16. They also arrested Jon Iron, 33, from Meadow Lake. Nolan and Iron were charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Nolan has a show cause hearing scheduled on June 28.
Ernest wanted for escaping custody at Meadow Lake court
Ernest was wanted for escaping custody from Meadow Lake Provincial Court on April 26. He was recaptured May 4 and appears in Meadow Lake Provincial Court again on June 7. He is charged with resisting arrest, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, unauthorized possession of a weapon, assault with a weapon, failing to attend court, and escaping from lawful custody.
The charges against Hagan, Ernest, and Nolan haven’t been proven in court.
Gang related
Saskatchewan RCMP Inspector Murray Chamberlain said the January and April incidents were gang-related and involved illegally obtained firearms.
“We are grateful for our partners at the Edmonton Police Service for their assistance in these arrests. This is one step toward stemming gang activity in the Meadow Lake area, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
Chamberlain said over the past year, the Saskatchewan RCMP implemented several initiatives to address an increase in gang presence and violence in the west central part of Saskatchewan. They include the Crime Reduction Team, the Gang Task Force, the General Investigation Section, detachment teams, the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Integrated Intelligence Units, the Division Criminal Analytical Service and the Crime Prevention/Crime Reduction Team.
If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact the following organizations to get assistance:
- STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001.
- STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771.
- Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494.
If anyone has information about these incidents, including details about any of the individuals involved, they are encouraged to report it to Meadow Lake RCMP at 306-236-2570 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS -8477.
