Update: Two suspects exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms cough on arresting officers in Mayerthorpe

MAYERTHORPE-A man and woman are facing charges after they allegedly coughed on a police officer in two separate incidents.
According to an RCMP release, police responded to a complaint about a male suspect attempting to break into a residence at 46 Avenue and 49 Street in Mayerthrope around 7 a.m. on April 11.

Police added that the suspect also attempted to break into several vehicles in the area.

The RCMP stated that when they found the man a short time later he was exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and that when they arrested him he purposefully coughed in a member's face.

The release states after he was apprehended by the police they then took him to the Mayerthorpe Healthcare Centre to have “a pre-existing injury, not related to his arrest” checked out.

While at the hospital a woman came to visit him. However, RCMP say that she became disruptive and they had to escort her out of the building.
It is at this point when she is alleged to have coughed intentionally on one of the RCMP officers.

Not long after, hospital staff reported the same woman was breaking into vehicles in the parking lot of the hospital.
Police said shortly afterwards she was arrested and put inside an RCMP cruiser, where she “caused extensive damage.”

Western Alberta RCMP district media relations officer Cpl. Deanna Fontaine said the officer in question did not have to self-isolate or go into quarantine because of the incidents.

“I talked to the detachment commander and he said the member had taken appropriate steps to ensure his safety but as with all officers he is self-monitoring for any symptoms because they have to interact with the public regularly in the execution of their duties,” she said.

The media release states the woman was also exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus.

Jayden James Topley, 20, of Lac Ste-Anne has been charged with assault on a police officer and four counts of mischief under $5,000.

He will appear for a bail hearing in Stony Plain Provincial Court on April 15.

Charlotte Gileen Mills, 35, from the County of Barrhead, has been charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, mischief under $5,000 and mischief over $5,000.

She has been released on bail and will appear in Mayerthorpe Provincial Court on June 25.

Breach of conditions

Two days later, on April 13, at about 11:45 p.m., Mayerthorpe RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle as well as a suspicious person walking around the parking lot near the Pleasant View Lodge on 42 Avenue.

An RCMP media release states that when police arrived they located Mills, who was in breach of conditions of her bail release that specified 24-hour house arrest.

Mills was charged with failing to comply with the conditions of release and following a judicial hearing was remanded into custody.

She was scheduled for a bail hearing in Stony Plain Provincial Court on April 15.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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