At noon on January 8th at the Bear Hills Truck Stop Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a kidnapping in progress. A witness reported that the victim was beaten and dragged into an SUV that drove away. 

RCMP members from Wetaskiwin and Maskwacis made a collaborative effort to locate the suspect vehicle on Highway 611. Police attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. 

The adult male victim was thrown out of the vehicle prior to the pursuit and was transported to a hospital to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim had been assaulted and bear sprayed. RCMP have determined that the attack was targeted. 

A tire deflation device was initiated near Range Road 230 and Township Road 254 and the occupants were taken into custody without further incident. 

Through further investigation, it was found that the suspect vehicle was previously stolen from Wetaskiwin. 

31-year-old Curtis Raine and 23-year-old Sara Lightning have both been charged with the following: 

  • Kidnapping
  • Extortion 
  • Aggravated assault 
  • Flight from a police officer 

Raine and Lightning are scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on January 14th, 2021.