RCMP arrested a man at a local bar last week, charging him with three counts of possession of a dangerous weapon after he was found carrying a loaded pellet gun, a baton and a set of brass knuckles.
“That kind of stuff is going on all the time…. This is why we don’t want citizens confronting criminals. They are armed and they have no conscience,” said Sgt. Bob Dodds, who is overseeing the Westlock RCMP Detachment until a new sergeant arrives this week.
This Westlock man was one of 14 people arrested as part of a collaborative initiative between the Eastern Alberta Warrant Apprehension Team (EAWAT) and Westlock and Athabasca RCMP detachments to track down people with outstanding warrants Feb. 15-18.
“We’ve got a project going in the eastern Alberta district where we put a crew together and they spend one night, just flogging one detachment area, going from place to place where we think we might find people on warrants,” said Dodds.
The arrested individual is now facing charges of breach of peace and obstruction along with two charges of breach of probation to go with his possession of a dangerous weapon for a dangerous person charges.
RCMP searched more than 75 locations in the Westlock and Athabasca area, executing 28 outstanding warrants for charges ranging from traffic offenses to more serious Criminal Code violations.
This is the first time the initiative has taken place in the Westlock area, but residents could see a lot more of it.
“It’s a fairly new initiative, so it hasn’t happened in our area before, but I think you’re going to see more of it coming along,” said Dodds.
“The warrant apprehension team will continue to track down and arrest people who are wanted,” said Sgt. Phil Viers, of EAWAT in a release. “If you have a warrant please don’t be surprised to see us in the near future, better yet you can turn yourself in at your local RCMP detachment.”
The RCMP’s Emergency Response Team ERT, as well as a canine unit were called Friday to arrest a man wanted on handful of outstanding warrants.
On Feb. 23 at 9 a.m., RCMP responded to a call of a wanted man driving illegally near the Eastglen Water Tower who was seen entering a residence.
RCMP say that since the man had fled from police previously on two separate occasions, was wanted on three warrants and the potential for firearms existed, the ERT, along with Police Dog Services (PDS) were called in to assist.
RCMP executed the search warrant at around 11 a.m. and the man was taken into custody without incident.
Ivon Tyler Rufiange, 44, of Westlock was wanted on two charges of possession of stolen property and failing to comply with court conditions. Police say Rufiange also faces new, unspecified charges and remains in custody.
