YORKTON – One of the people arrested near Yorkton on Jan. 7 was involved in the high-speed pursuit in Estevan on New Year's Day.
Yorkton RCMP responded to the scene of a vehicle in the ditch at 2 p.m. on Jan. 7 on Highway 10 just east of Yorkton.
“When asked by police, a male occupant of the vehicle provided a false name,” RCMP said. “He and a female occupant also refused a police command to exit the vehicle.”
Police ultimately arrested the pair - who both hailed from Regina - and after a search of the vehicle, seized 42.6 grams of cocaine, 32.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 9.9 grams of fentanyl, 720 hydromorphone tablets, five grams of liquid concentrate cannabis, and five methylphenidate tablets.
Crystal Fox, 25, was charged with resisting/obstructing a peace officer, and two counts possession of a Schedule 1 substance.
Dustin Adam Clarke-Rusnack, 33, was charged with three counts resisting/obstructing a peace officer, four counts possession for the purpose of trafficking, and single count possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
“Rusnack was also ticketed for having, keeping or consuming alcohol in a vehicle, and arrested on warrants from Estevan Police Service for flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and resist/obstruct peace officer,” RCMP said.
Clarke-Rusnack was wanted by the EPS after an incident on New Years Day in the city. Members stopped a vehicle that was heading into Estevan on Highway 39. Police were attempting to arrest the individual when he fled the scene at a high rate of speed.
Officers deployed a tire deflation device but were not successful in stopping the vehicle. Due to public safety concerns, the EPS did not pursue the vehicle into or through the city.
Further investigation revealed charges in relation to an incident on Jan. 6 where Clarke-Rusnack smashed into an RCMP vehicle.
“At approximately 9 a.m. that morning, White Butte RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Pilot Butte,” RCMP explained. “When the officer approached it, the male driver fled at a high rate of speed, colliding with a police vehicle and a garbage bin. No injuries were reported.”
From that event, Clarke-Rusnack was charged with flight from a police officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Both Clarke-Rusnack and Fox were scheduled to appear in Yorkton court on Jan. 13. Clarke-Rusnack was held in custody and will make his next appearance on Jan. 18.
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