Two men are in custody awaiting court appearances in connection to what police are calling an attempted car theft and firearms complaint at a rural home west of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation on Sunday, August 25.
Smoky Lake RCMP members were called to a rural residence on Highway 652 approximately 30 kilometres south of Vilna at about seven that morning. The initial investigation suggests several people were in a white Dodge pickup truck that drove onto the property and parked near a 2015 Mercedes vehicle. Police say that as suspects got out of the truck and were attempting to steal the Mercedes, they were interrupted by the property owner. RCMP then report one of the suspects pointed a gun and fired a shot that hit the homeowner's vehicle.
The suspects left the yard in the white pickup, which was later located by Mounties from the St. Paul RCMP detachment. Two men inside the pickup were arrested and have been charged with committing a robbery with a firearm.
Fabian Gladue, 39, and Jordan Steinhauer, 40, both residents of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, were remanded into custody until their first court appearances. Gladue is scheduled to be in the Alberta Court of Justice in Boyle later this week, and Steinhauer will be at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Saskatchewan on Sept. 12.
Shared results
RCMP say communication between neighbouring police detachments helped in the investigation and arrests.
“Fast coordination between responding nearby detachments was essential in quickly locating and arresting these suspects," says RCMP Sgt. Anita Doktor at the Smoky Lake detachment.
Doktor also says this incident shows how quickly criminal activity can escalate, and how quickly public safety can be put in jeopardy.
"The Alberta RCMP would like to remind the public of the dangers that suspects can pose when involved in a crime. If you see a crime in progress please call RCMP immediately. Protect you and your family by securing your residence and refrain from engaging with the suspects. “
Smoky Lake RCMP are continuing their investigation and have identified two other suspects wanted in connection to the incident. Police say that further charges and arrests are pending.
