A preliminary hearing has been delayed for two men accused of a shooting on Onion Lake and several carjackings in Lloydminster where people were allegedly shot at.
The hearing for Lucas Aaron Oakes, 24, from Makwa Sahaiegcan First Nation, and Jesse Leigh Heathen, 33, from Lloydminster, was set to start May 10 in Lloydminster Provincial Court but due to COVID-19 it has been adjourned.
Oakes and Heathen have been in custody since they were arrested in July 2020.
Onion Lake RCMP had responded to a report that a man was shot with a firearm. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries. Police say the suspects fled Onion Lake in a vehicle.
About an hour later the vehicle they were in collided with another vehicle on 46 Avenue in Lloydminster. Police say that after Heathen and Oakes crashed their vehicle they allegedly pointed a firearm at someone in an attempt to steal a truck. They were unsuccessful and fled on foot.
Minutes later, they allegedly fired two shots at someone inside a vehicle in a second failed attempted carjacking.
During a third attempted carjacking, Oakes and Heathen allegedly assaulted a victim and stole a truck.
Police spotted the stolen truck east of Lloydminster and started a pursuit but called off because the stolen truck was swerving into oncoming traffic in the westbound lanes on Hwy 16.
Shortly after, RCMP located the truck in Lloydminster and arrested Montana Horse of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. She was wanted by police at the time for failing to comply with conditions.
Maidstone RCMP got a call at about 7:30 p.m. that there was a truck stuck near Hillmond. Police found Oakes and Heathen walking on a road nearby and arrested them.
Oakes and Heathen were charged with theft of a vehicle, robbery with the use of a firearm, discharging a firearm with intent, assault, uttering threats, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, possession of a weapon or prohibited device or ammunition while prohibited, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and flight from police.
None of the charges against the accused have been proven in court.
Oakes and Heathen’s preliminary hearing is now scheduled for July 12.
