Investigation continues into a series of incidents that began early this morning in Lac la Biche, and resulted in the arrests of six individuals in Wetaskiwin County.

Last night at approximately 10:30 p.m., Lac La Biche RCMP responded to a shots fired complaint in Lac La Biche. A vehicle with several occupants drove into a parking lot near an apartment complex and two shots were fired towards two other vehicles. All three vehicles then left the parking lot and the RCMP were not able to locate them. Although the vehicles may have been hit, there is no indication that anyone was injured.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., Redwater RCMP responded to a complaint of an attempted armed robbery.  A vehicle matching the description of the earlier complaint in Lac La Biche was reported to be involved. Several occupants demanded money from a civilian who was outside a service station in Redwater. It is alleged one of the occupants pointed a gun at the civilian who refused to comply with the demands, and the suspects fled. Redwater RCMP located the vehicle and a brief pursuit ensued, which was terminated.

RCMP were then alerted to a complaint of another attempted armed robbery near Redwater. A male who was stopped roadside in his vehicle was confronted by several armed suspects who shot him in the arm in an attempt to get into his vehicle. The suspects fled and the injured male was transported to an Edmonton hospital where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Information was provided to surrounding detachments and Edmonton Police Service to be aware of this suspect vehicle.  The suspect vehicle was located by Edmonton Police Services in their jurisdiction and a pursuit was initiated by Edmonton Police Services Tactical Unit and their Police Dog Services.  The pursuit continued into RCMP jurisdiction.   Edmonton Police Service was joined by RCMP from Leduc, Wetaskiwin and Police Dog Services

The vehicle was abandoned north of Wetaskiwin.  Both Edmonton and RCMP Police Dog Services began tracking five suspects.   RCMP members from Leduc, Beaumont and Maskwacis also assisted.  With the assistance of public information in relation to suspicious persons, all five suspects were located and arrested by the RCMP.   

At a perimeter checkpoint an encounter with a second vehicle, believed to be associated, occurred and a member discharged his firearm. That suspect was taken into custody unharmed and ASIRT is investigating the discharge of the member’s firearm.

Both the vehicles involved in the pursuit and the confrontation were determined to be stolen; one from Caslan, Alberta and one from Devon, Alberta.   

All suspects are in custody in Wetaskiwin including two youths, a 17-year-old and 16-year-old male, 18-year-old female and a 23, 24 and 33-year-old male.  

Wetaskiwin RCMP – General Investigation Section continue to investigate these occurrences.  A further update is not anticipated today.  Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7200 or call your local police detachment.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS.

https://lacombeonline.com/local/six-in-custody-after-pursuit-ends-in-wetaskiwin