In the early hours of April 15, both St. Paul and Smoky Lake RCMP responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle trespassing across rural properties in various areas including Smoky Lake county, Bellis, Vilna, and Spedden. The vehicle was quickly identified as stolen for the Wetaskiwin area.
St. Paul RCMP members, patrolling the Spedden area, spotted a pickup truck matching the description of the suspect vehicle parked at a gas station. Upon approaching, four occupants were found inside. Two suspects fled the scene immediately, but the remaining occupants were informed of their arrest. During the apprehension, one suspect assaulted the arresting RCMP officer and attempted to flee on foot. According to authorities after a brief struggle, the suspect was subdued with the assistance of a CEW Conductive Energy Weapon, commonly referred to as a taser.
With assistance from St. Paul Police Dog Services, the two remaining suspects were located hiding on the deck of an abandoned house in Spedden and surrendered without further incident.
The suspects involved hailed for various regions:
- Nathan Vernon Waskewitch a 37-year-old Edmonton resident was charged with obstruction, failure to comply, possession of stolen property, and assault on a police officer.
- Conway Sinclair Moyah a 22-year-old Fishing Lake resident was charged with resisting arrest.
- Robin Faye Strong a 26-yeary-old Maskwacis resident was charged with resisting arrest and failure to comply.
- Tamarah Lee Dillion a 30-year-old Edmonton resident was charged with being unlawfully at large on a parole violation and will be remaining custody.
Waskewitch was remanded into custody with the next court dat of April 18 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan. Moyah was released on conditions and is to appear next on May 9, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan. Strong was released on conditions and is to appear next on May 3, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan.
Sgt. Anita Doktor of the Smoky Lake RCMP expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the two detachments, underscoring the pivotal role of partnership, teamwork, and communication in resolving the incident. “Big thanks to St. Paul RCMP and Police Dog Services for assisting in this occurrence,” Sgt. Doktor expressed, highlighting the collaborative efforts that led to the successful resolution of the situation.