Three charged after house burns, two are injured

PRINCE ALBERT — Three people have been charged after a home was set on fire during a bear spray attack and robbery. An RCMP cruiser was rammed in the resulting arrest incident.

On July 18 at approximately 7:20 a.m., Prince Albert RCMP received reports of a fire at a residence in the community of Little Red River.

Officers responded immediately and arrived to find the residence fully engulfed in flames. Local fire and EMS also attended. Two occupants had escaped the residence. They were transported to hospital by EMS with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

Police say their investigation determined an individual or individuals – known to the occupants – had entered the residence, discharged bear spray, took various items, ignited a fire, and fled in a vehicle.

Shortly after 8 a.m., officers located individuals matching the descriptions of the suspects outside a residence on Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

As the police cruiser approached and officers activated their vehicle’s emergency equipment, the individuals fled in two vehicles – a car and a truck.

Officers initiated a traffic stop; however, the drivers did not comply. Police say the truck continued to flee, and the car rammed a fully marked, occupied RCMP cruiser multiple times before fleeing. No officers reported physical injuries.

Officers pursued both vehicles. During the pursuit, occupants in the car threw an item from the vehicle. A loaded, sawed-off rifle and a magazine were later recovered.

The car came to a stop. The driver and two occupants were arrested.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located and seized a butane torch lighter, bear mace, an edged weapon, ammunition and stolen property. 

As a result of investigation, three individuals are facing multiple charges. A 26-year-old female from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, a 28-year-old male from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, and a 20-year-old female from Prince Albert, are each charged with:

• one count, assault on police officer with a weapon;
• one count, flight from police;
• one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• one count, unsafe storage of firearm;
• one count, mischief over $5,000;
• one count, possession of a prohibited firearm knowing possession is unauthorized;
• one count, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition in motor vehicle;
• one count, possession of prohibited firearm with ammunition without a license; and
• one count, possession of a firearm with tampered serial number.

The 26-year-old female is facing additional charges of:

• one count, arson – disregard for human life;
• two counts, assault with a weapon;
• one count, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose;
• one count, breaking, entering and committing – residence;
• one count, administer noxious thing;
• one count, robbery;
• two counts, possession of a weapon contrary to order.

The male is facing additional charges of:

• one count, breaking, entering and committing – residence;
• one count, robbery; and
• two counts, fail to comply with probation order.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert Provincial General Investigation Section, Waskesiu Detachment, Prince Albert Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, Critical Incident Response Team, and Police Dog Services all assisted with this investigation.