Leask Man Charged with 20+ Crimes After Police Chase, Stolen Guns

UPDATE: A 28-year-old Leask man, identified as Eldon Johnstone, has been charged with over 20 criminal offenses following a dramatic police chase and investigation into a suspicious camper trailer on Mistawasis First Nation. The incident unfolded on October 15, 2023, when RCMP officers received reports about the camper at approximately 11 a.m.

Upon arrival, police witnessed a vehicle parked near the trailer driving erratically. Authorities attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver evaded police and collided with an RCMP vehicle. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident.

Investigators later discovered that the camper was stolen. A search revealed three rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, and ammunition inside the trailer. In a related incident, the RCMP received a report of a robbery in the RM of Leask, where a suspect assaulted a man and stole a truck, leaving the victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police believe the assailant who stole the truck is the same individual who fled the scene at the camper site. As the situation escalated, RCMP officers deployed a tire deflation device, which the suspect drove over. The stolen truck veered into a nearby field, where both the driver and a passenger attempted to flee on foot. They were apprehended with assistance from an RCMP Police Dog Services Team.

As a result of this extensive investigation, Johnstone faces several serious charges, including two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, one count of flight from police, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, three counts of assault on a police officer, and multiple counts of possessing prohibited firearms.

Johnstone made his first court appearance at the Prince Albert provincial court on October 17, 2023. Additionally, a 25-year-old woman from Blaine Lake has also been charged in connection with the incident.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces with stolen vehicles and firearm-related crimes in the region. As the investigation continues, local authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.