An extensive search for two suspects resulted in their arrest in North West Saskatchewan. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By meadowlakeNOW Staff

Search complete

Long pursuit leads to arrests east of Pierceland

Apr 22, 2022 | 4:00 PM

Two men were arrested by Pierceland RCMP after an extensive search on Tuesday.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle came in from Big Island Lake Cree Territory. Officers soon located a vehicle matching that description to the south and attempted to stop it before the driver sped off.

Police continued the search and later observed the vehicle on a rural road in the RM of Beaver River. The vehicle accelerated and drove straight towards the police vehicle, swerving at the last second and speeding away.

Around a half hour later, the RCMP got a report of two males in a similar sounding vehicle attempting to steal fuel from a residence before feeing again. Officers from the Meadow Lake and Loon Lake detachments, along with Meadow Lake Police Dog Services and conservation officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch, joined the search.

Shortly before 9:00 a.m., members located the vehicle, which once again accelerated and drove straight towards a police vehicle, swerved at the last second and continued to drive away at a high rate of speed. Officers later located the vehicle abandoned on Highway #55 just east of Beacon Hill, where the two men had fled on foot. They determined it had been reported stolen to Lloydminster RCMP the previous day.

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Cpl. David Horton, acting Pierceland RCMP Detachment ommander, said in a statement that the suspects were located and arrested around 10:30 a.m., roughly two kilometres from the abandoned vehicle. He added praise for the officers involved in the search and arrest.

“Their arrest was the culmination of an extensive hour-long search through snow-filled brush and fields,” he said. “This is an example of the excellent collaboration between RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services, and the Provincial Protective Services Branch.”

Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell also praised the members involved.

“Our government is extremely proud of the support provincial conservation officers provided to the RCMP in this situation,” she said. “We look forward to finding new opportunities to work with the RCMP to ensure the safety of Saskatchewan people and communities.”

Both 31-year-old Josh McLaren of Lloydminster and 37-year-old Michael Fisher of Lashburn are charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, theft under $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Additionally, McLaren faces assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from peace officer, as well as being arrested on a Canada-wide warrant for a parole violation.

Their next court appearance is May 10.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowlakeNOW