A 42-year-old man arrested after the military and RCMP teamed up to rescue a girl being held against her will at a remote cabin in northern Saskatchewan isn’t trying to get out on bail.
Aaron Gardiner is facing nine charges including unlawful confinement, assault, uttering threats, resisting arrest, overcoming resistance, possessing a firearm for a dangerous purpose, use of a firearm in commission of an indictable offence, proceeds of crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court April 27 and April 30 via CCTV. He consented to being remanded in custody.
According to Île-à-la-Crosse RCMP, they received a tip that a female youth was being held against her will for four days in a cabin across Île-à-la-Crosse Lake, about 10 kilometres from the village of Île-à-la-Crosse.
The initial report given to police said that the man left the cabin to an unknown destination.
After police determined that the only way to access the cabin was by air since Île-à-la-Crosse Lake was covered in water and slush, they teamed up with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Saskatchewan Emergency Response Team.
Early in the morning on April 24, two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from the Canadian Armed Forces transported the ERT across the lake and landed near the cabin. Police were able to quickly secure the location and safely remove the youth from the cabin.
The youth had minor bruising and was safely taken back to Île-à-la-Crosse by helicopter. The young girl was returned to her family.
RCMP say Gardiner tried fleeing from the cabin and resisted arrest. Police deployed a Taser, Conducted Energy Weapon, and took him into custody. He received medical treatment by EMS for minor injuries before being taken to Île-à-la-Crosse.
Police seized firearms and drugs at the cabin.
Gardiner is scheduled to reappear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on May 11.
