By rdnewsNOW staff

Suspects Charged

Rimbey man among three charged following RCMP seizure of guns and stolen vehicles

Mar 20, 2020 | 8:18 AM

UPDATE: June 6, 2024 

Sentences have been handed out to all three people charged following an incident in Wetaskiwin County that saw Mounties seize several guns and two stolen vehicles. 

Westley Bidlock Hawkins, 35, of Edmonton, was sentenced to 91 days in jail on Nov. 24, 2020, after pleading guilty to one count of possession of property over $5000, and one count of fail to comply with a release order. 

Co-accused Billy Kirk Okeynan, 35, of Rimbey, was sentenced on May 4, 2021, to 180 days in jail and a one-year license suspension after being convicted on counts of possession of property over $5000, fail to comply with a release order, and operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited. 

Meanwhile, the third suspect, Shane Richard Black, 29, of Westerose, was given a six-month Conditional Sentence Order (CSO) on May 13, 2021, along with a one-year license suspension. 

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It was on Mar. 17, 2020, at approximately 5:30 p.m., when Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a call of suspicious vehicles in the ditch on Range Road 262 and Township 470 in Wetaskiwin County. 

When members arrived on scene, Mounties say two men fled on foot from the vehicles. A third man was arrested on scene without incident. 

Police say one man was apprehended soon afterwards following a short foot chase, while members located the third suspect with assistance from the public. 

RCMP say the two vehicles involved were confirmed stolen from Tofield and Airdrie Detachment. 

Inside the vehicles, police located one loaded handgun and five long barrel guns, with the guns confirmed stolen from a residence in Tofield, along with other high-powered rifles. With the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Service, police also located a loaded handgun in the field where the third suspect was apprehended by police. 

Billy Kirk Okeynan, was charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, two counts of fail to comply with release order, operate motor vehicle while prohibited, and operate an uninsured motor vehicle. 

Mounties say Okeynan was also wanted on 12 outstanding warrant charges from Leduc, Thorsby and Wetaskiwin Detachments at the time. 

Shane Richard Black, 25, was charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, possession of methamphetamine, four counts of possession of weapon obtained by crime, four counts of possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order, four counts of unsafe storage of firearm, operate motor vehicle while prohibited, and operate an uninsured motor vehicle. 

Police say Black was also wanted on five outstanding warrant charges out of the Leduc Detachment at the time. 

While Westley Richard Bidlock-Hawkins, was originally charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, two counts of fail to comply with release order, resisting a peace officer, and fail to comply with probation. 

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A Rimbey man is one of three people charged following an incident in Wetaskiwin County Tuesday that saw Mounties seize several guns and two stolen vehicles.

On Mar. 17 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a call of suspicious vehicles in the ditch on Range Road 262 and Township 470 in Wetaskiwin County.

When members arrived one scene, two men are alleged to have fled on foot from the vehicles. A third man was arrested on scene without an incident.

Police say one man was apprehended soon afterwards following a short foot chase, while members located the third suspect with assistance from the public.

RCMP say the two vehicles involved were confirmed stolen from Tofield and Airdrie Detachment.

Inside the vehicles, police located one loaded handgun and five long barrel guns, with the guns confirmed stolen from a residence in Tofield, along with other high powered rifles. With the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Service, police also located a loaded handgun in the field where the third suspect was apprehended by the police.

Billy Kirk Okeynan, 31, of Rimbey, has been charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, two counts of fail to comply with release order, operate motor vehicle while prohibited, and operate an uninsured motor vehicle.

Mounties say Okeynan was also wanted on 12 outstanding warrant charges from Leduc, Thorsby and Wetaskiwin Detachments.

Shane Richard Black, 25, of Westerose, has been charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, possession of methamphetamine, four counts of possession of weapon obtained by crime, four counts of possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order, four counts of unsafe storage of firearm, operate motor vehicle while prohibited, and operate an uninsured motor vehicle.

Police say Black was also wanted on five outstanding warrant charges out of the Leduc Detachment.

Westley Richard Bidlock-Hawkins, 31, of Edmonton, has been charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, two counts of fail to comply with release order, resisting a peace officer, and fail to comply with probation.

Wetaskiwin RCMP continue to investigate and say more charges are pending, adding all three individuals were brought before a Justice of the Peace for a bail hearing.

Okeynan and Bidlock-Hawkins were both remanded and scheduled to appear in court for all matters on Mar. 19.

Black was released on $2000 promise to pay release order for Wetaskiwin matters and scheduled to appear in court on June 9. Black was also released on $2000 promise to pay release order for Leduc matters and scheduled to appear in court on June 18.

Police say working directly with the community has greatly assisted Wetaskiwin RCMP in arresting one of the accused. Wetaskiwin RCMP would like to thank those who assisted.

If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.”