Two suspects have been apprehended and a third is still on the run after another break and enter targeting an ATM machine, this time in Leoville, north of Spiritwood.
The RCMP received a report at approximately 2:50 a.m. Tuesday of a break and enter at a Leoville video store. The individuals targeted an ATM machine, and then three individuals fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.
After a brief pursuit, the RCMP recovered the vehicle that had been reported stolen from Radisson, Saskatchewan. A 15-year-old from North Battleford, who cannot be identified due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested.
The two other occupants of the vehicle then felt on foot. Not long after, the RCMP police dog was called in to track down the suspects.
They were tracked down to a location where a second stolen vehicle had been stolen by the individuals. The second stolen vehicle later turned up in the Meeting Lake area.
The information led investigators to the apprehension of a second individual near Medstead. The third suspect is still at large.
The three suspects now face a number of charges. The 15-year-old youth has been charged with break and enter and theft over $5,000, flight from a peace officer, resisting arrest, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of break-in instruments and possession of stolen property.
The other suspect in custody is Garvin Martin, 44, also of North Battleford. He is charged with break and enter and theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000.
Martin and the youth suspect are both remanded in custody and due to appear in North Battleford provincial court Friday 9 a.m.
The third suspect is Gabriel Poundmaker, 19, from North Battleford. He is currently wanted by police and an arrest warrant has been issued. He faces charges of break and enter and theft over $5000, and theft under $5,000.
Anyone with information on Poundmaker is encouraged to call their local RCMP or police service or Crimestoppers. Poundmaker is described as an aboriginal male, 5 feet 6 inches, 120 pounds, black hair and brown eyes.
The investigation continues and police are expecting further charges to be laid. To date, there have been contributions made to the case by the Spiritwood, Big River, Blaine Lake, Meadow Lake and Shellbrook detachments of the RCMP, as well as by the co-ordinated efforts of the RCMP North Battleford GIS unit.
The incident in Leoville follows on the heels of a string of ATM thefts throughout the summer in the northwest region. There was an incident involving theft of an ATM in Lashburn in the previous week. The RCMP also say a number of similar incidents have been investigated in Spiritwood, Shell Lake, Mistawasis First Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Debden, Blaine Lake and Meadow Lake.
According to police the thefts resulted in considerable damage to the businesses as well as the theft of various consumer products including large numbers of cigarettes.
