Stettler RCMP detachment (Google Maps)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Three males charged

Stettler RCMP end crime spree with help of local partners

Apr 24, 2023 | 4:43 PM

Stettler RCMP say they have put an end to a crime spree following the arrests of three males.

On April 20, 2023, at approximately 5 a.m., Stettler RCMP say they were dispatched to a file of break, enter and commit theft at Heartland Marine where suspects stole a boat. The suspect vehicle and boat were soon located abandoned in Stettler County.

As officers were patrolling, at 6:40 a.m., Mounties say another break and enter was reported in Stettler County near Red Willow. Officers patrolled the area and noted a suspicious truck, matching the description of the suspect vehicle, driving in an alley in Donalda. They state a traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. Mounties confirm RCMP Police Dog Services and Air Services assisted in the search.

At 8:45 a.m., the suspect vehicle was located at a rural residence near Highway 856 and Township Road 430. They say an officer saw one of the truck occupants running with a firearm but the vehicle and three occupants fled the scene.

RCMP say they were soon located on Twp Rd 424 where a traffic stop was attempted again, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed towards Forestburg. They state the truck then hit a power pole in the north end of Forestburg and became disabled.

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Officers say they located two males beside the vehicle, both taken into custody, and a .22 long rifle was also located in the truck.

RCMP say one occupant had fled and was reported to be walking in a field well north of Forestburg. After containment was set up, Mounties confirm Police Dog Services was deployed to the area and a third male was arrested.

Shawn Hartnell, 39, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Flight from Police
• Possession of firearm in a motor vehicle
• Mischief under $5000 (x3)
• Break and Enter
• Fail to comply with release conditions (x2)
• Possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition

Damien German, 35, a resident of Stettler, has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Flight from Police
• Possession of firearm in a motor vehicle
• Mischief under $5000 (x3)
• Break and Enter
• Operate a motor vehicle while prohibited
• Possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition (x3)

Joshua Briault, 24, a resident of Stettler, has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Flight from police
• Possession of firearm in a motor vehicle
• Mischief under $5000 (x3)
• Break and enter
• Fail to comply with release order (x2)
• Possession of weapon contrary to prohibition

“With the assistance of Bashaw, Killam, Coronation and Wetaskiwin General Duty officers, Police Dog Services and Ponoka Freeway officers, these criminals were taken off the streets and their crime spree has ended,” said Stettler Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Jon England.

After Judicial Interim Release hearings, RCMP note all three accused were remanded into custody and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice in Stettler on April 27, 2023.