(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Combined Efforts

Two men arrested, firearm seized after long standoff in Melfort

Oct 26, 2023 | 5:14 PM

More details have been released nearly 24 hours later regarding a large police presence in Melfort Wednesday night.

On Oct. 25, Melfort RCMP had blocked off an area on Park Ave. from Groat Dr. to Park Bay W.

Police were there for nearly five hours and engaged in what appeared to be a standoff.

It’s now been confirmed by RCMP that two men were arrested as part of the incident, while a loaded firearm was also seized.

The incident actually began back on Oct. 23 as Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a vehicle theft.

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Officers determined that a pick-up truck was stolen from outside a business just south of P.A.

Then, early on Oct. 25, officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT) were conducting patrols on Sturgeon Lake First Nation and found the vehicle.

They attempted to complete a traffic stop, however, it didn’t stop.

Later on that day, it was discovered that the truck was parked outside a residence on Park Bay E in Melfort.

Two men were arrested inside the home, with the assistance of officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Melfort and Tisdale detachments, Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST), Prince Albert and Melfort Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, Critical Incident Response Team and Police Dog Services.

Police used a search warrant to search the rest of the house and found a loaded and modified, illegal weapon.

(Submitted photo/Saskatchewan RCMP)

RCMP also found that the two men were already both on warrant.

32-year-old Jack Sanderson from Sturgeon Lake First Nation was arrested on a warrant from Prince Albert RCMP for charges including possession of stolen property over $5,000 and dangerous driving.

Meanwhile, 49-year-old Dave Smith from Melfort was arrested on a warrant from Melfort RCMP for charges including possession of stolen property over $5,000 and trafficking stolen property.

Smith also had previous charges from Saskatoon and Melville, which date back to October 2022.

These include drug trafficking, drug possession, multiple court-related breaches, stolen property, and dangerous driving.

Both men were scheduled to appear in Melfort Provincial Court on Thursday (Oct. 26).

Smith’s matters got adjourned to Monday in Saskatoon, despite the Melfort Crown being against his release.

The investigation is currently continuing and further updates will be provided once available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at 306-310-7267 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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news@northeastnow.com

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