RCMP RELEASE:
On Feb. 8, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m., Elk point RCMP were dispatched to a report of a theft of motor vehicle and kidnapping. The investigation determined that an adult victim had been sleeping in the backseat of a SUV when it was stolen from a gas station in Elk point. The victim awoke to see a stranger driving the SUV and requested the suspect to stop, which he did not. The victim was able to escape when the suspect reduced speed in attempts to change his direction of travel.
Upon further investigation, RCMP identified several other suspects who appeared to have assisted with the theft of the SUV. A suspect vehicle was located in Clandonald, Alta, where RCMP arrested three suspects without incident.
In the same time-frame, RCMP responded to break-ins in Derwent, Alta., and a residence south of Beauvallon, Alta. The stolen SUV had driven though a shop in Derwent, causing significant damage, and done the same in Beauvallon, nearly striking a resident. RCMP attended the residence and attempted to arrest the suspect. The suspect was able to evade arrest by driving away in a SUV stolen from the residence.
RCMP continued to pursue the suspect, who was stealing a pickup truck that was left running outside a shop. Pursuing RCMP members utilized vehicle contact to disable the stolen truck in an effort to prevent further offences and danger to the public.
The suspect entered the shop and stole a second pickup truck, with a utility trailer attached, that was parked inside. The suspect proceeded to ram police vehicles and escaped by driving through an exterior wall of the building. RCMP continued their pursuit until St. Paul RCMP members deployed a tire deflation device and were successful in stopping the vehicle north of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alta.
As a result of the investigation, Cormac Arden Crawford (26), a resident of Bonnyville, Alta., Kiyana Diamond Hunter (25), a resident of Saddle Lake, and Brittany Gosselin-Redcrow (18), a resident of St. Paul, Alta., have been charged with Kidnapping and Theft of motor vehicle.
Preston Leo Halfe (26), a resident of Goodfish Lake, Alta., has been charged with 22 criminal code offences, including:
- Kidnapping;
- Theft of motor vehicle (x6);
- Mischief – causing danger to life;
- Break and enter to residence (x2); and
- Mischief over $5,000 (x3).
All suspects were brought before a justice of the peace. Crawford, Hunter and Halfe were remanded into custody while Gosselin-Redcrow was released on conditions. All are to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Paul on Feb. 15, 2024.
“Preston Halfe put countless lives at risk on his criminal rampage today, victimizing numerous individuals along the way,” said Sgt. Bobby Burgess of the St. Paul RCMP. “The suspect was highly motivated to evade police custody and our members did everything possible to prevent the continuation of the offenses, ensure public safety, and bring this series of events to a timely, safe conclusion.”
All photos and videos are RCMP Handouts.
