Police hunt for suspects in challenging conditions near Thunder Rapids

By Susan McNeil

The RCMP is urging public safety and asking for information as officers search for multiple suspects in dense brush near Thunder Rapids, a well-known hunting and fishing location on the north end of Tobin Lake.

Police say that the suspects in Thursday’s emergency alert were travelling in a black SUV when they approached a lone man on the White Star Road, which runs west of Highway 55, north of Prince Albert.

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The victim was in his pickup, and when he was approached the suspects shot him. He remains in serious condition in hospital.

The suspects, wearing black bandanas or balaclavas, took the man’s 2020 white Dodge Ram pickup and his phone. The victim did not know the suspects.

A passerby found the victim at about 8:30 a.m. and called for help.

As the suspects were considered armed and dangerous, police issued several emergency alerts covering a wide area, as they didn’t know what direction the thieves were travelling.

At about 10 a.m., the pickup was seen driving on Highway 123 towards Cumberland House.

When they reached the vicinity of Thunder Rapids, the suspects’ vehicle collided with heavy equipment on the road. Responding officers saw the suspects leave the pickup and run into the bush. No injuries were reported in the collision, but two guns were found in the vehicle and are now being held by police.

After issuing a third emergency alert, the RCMP arrested one male and one female in the Tobin Lake area. They then cancelled the emergency alert as it no longer met the criteria.

RCMP officers from surrounding detachments, including Nipawin, Melfort, Carrot River, Cumberland House and Waskesiu, responded along with officers from Prince Albert, the police dog services team, the Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team and the Saskatoon Police Service’s air unit.

Because two suspects remain at large and the investigation is ongoing, residents starting at Holbein, past Nipawin and up to Thunder Rapids are being asked to check security cameras, including game cameras, for signs of the black SUV or the suspects.

Neighbours were also asked to check in on each other to ensure their safety.