Two Onion Lake Cree Nation men face weapon charges and a third is the subject of an arrest warrant following a high-speed pursuit that ended with a five-kilometre police dog track over the weekend.
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The incident began on May 17 at 5:10 p.m. when Onion Lake RCMP spotted a vehicle speeding near the community. When officers activated their emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle sped away.
Mounties say the vehicle came to a stop a short time later near Frenchman Butte, where two of the occupants fled on foot. The two individuals who remained in the vehicle were immediately arrested.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers found and seized a loaded firearm.
The Onion Lake detachment brought in extensive reinforcements to track down the fleeing suspects, mobilizing the Lloydminster Crime Reduction Team, North Battleford Police Dog Services and combined traffic units from Rosetown and Kindersley.
A police dog successfully tracked one of the suspects on foot for roughly five kilometres before he was taken into custody.
Following the investigation, 40-year-old Matthew Chief of Onion Lake has been hit with six charges, including resisting a peace officer, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court on May 19.
Timothy Weeseekase, 35, also of Onion Lake, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.
The fourth occupant of the vehicle was released without charge.
RCMP are now turning to the public to help find 44-year-old Aaron Chief of Onion Lake, who is wanted on an arrest warrant. He faces eight charges, including flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, and possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition.
Investigators describe Aaron Chief as five-foot-nine and 180 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, facial hair, and a tattoo on his neck.
Police warn the public not to approach the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact Onion Lake RCMP at 310-RCMP or submit an anonymous tip through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
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