On Mar. 25, 2025 at approximately 3 p.m., Wood Buffalo RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) were conducting patrols in downtown Fort McMurray when they noted a speeding vehicle leaving the area. CRU continued to observe the vehicle, a red GMC Acadia, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Thickwood Drive in Fort McMurray. The vehicle failed to stop for Police, proceeded to Timberline Drive and onto Gladstone Drive. Wood Buffalo RCMP Police Dog Services attended, pre-emptively blocking the path of the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle slowed and attempted to flee by reversing into police. The suspect was not successful. RCMP were able to prevent the vehicle from fleeing any further and arrested the six occupants of the vehicle without further incident. There were no injuries to any occupants or police and only minor damage to the police vehicle.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle incidental to arrest, Police located and seized:
• Loaded 12-gauge shotgun
• Pellet style handgun
• Hard body armour
A 35-year-old individual, a resident of Fort McMurray, is facing charges:
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm in a vehicle
• Operation while Prohibited
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Two Counts Possession of a Weapon contrary to an order
• Flight from Police
• Three counts Fail to Comply with Release Order
The 35-year-old individual was held for a judicial interim release order. He was remanded into custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on March 27, 2025.
A 33-year-old individual, a resident of Fort McMurray, is facing charges:
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm in a vehicle
• Fail to comply with Probation Order
• Three counts Fail to Comply with Release Order
The 33-year-old individual was held for a judicial interim release order. He was remanded into custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on March 27, 2025.
A 42-year-old individual, a resident of Fort McMurray, is facing charges:
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm in a vehicle
• Possession of Weapon contrary to Order
• Five counts Fail to Comply with Release Order
The 42-year-old individual was held for a judicial interim release order. He was remanded into custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on March 27, 2025.
A 33-year-old individual, a resident of Fort McMurray, is facing charges:
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm in a vehicle
• Two counts Fail to Comply with Release Order
The 33-year-old individual was held for a judicial interim release order. She was remanded into custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on March 27, 2025.
The other two vehicle occupants were released from police custody on Appearance Notices. Both females, who cannot be named until an Information is sworn, are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on April 30, 2025.
Wood Buffalo RCMP continue to investigate the incident. RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to police. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.