July 1, 2020

Morinville RCMP investigating multi vehicle thefts – Update #2

Villeneuve, Alta – An armed robbery reported on June 29 was determined to be an extension of incidents that started in the early morning hours of June 29, 2020.

At 2:36 a.m., a break and enter was reported at a commercial business in Morinville, Alta. A vehicle was stolen from the business, and suspects abandoned a vehicle at the location.

At 4:34 a.m., the stolen vehicle was reported abandoned in a rural area in Morinville.

Sometime later a Cadillac Escalade was stolen from Bon Accord.

At 5:42 a.m., an attempted vehicle theft was reported.  The victim of the attempted theft followed the suspects who were driving the previously stolen Cadillac Escalade. The victim called 911, but continued to follow the suspects. The suspects are alleged to have fired a shotgun at the pursuing victim of the carjacking. He was not injured.

Morinville RCMP members located the stolen Escalade and a pursuit ensued. A tire deflation device was unsuccessfully deployed.  The RCMP member observed a firearm in the possession of an occupant and discharged his firearm toward the Escalade. The occupants in the Escalade managed to flee the RCMP.

Following this exchange, the Escalade was involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle on Highway 37 and Highway 44.

After the collision, the Escalade went off-road, was abandoned, and the suspects fled on foot. They made an unsuccessful effort to steal another vehicle before two suspects were apprehended by the RCMP with the assistance of Police Dog Services. By 8:30 a.m., two suspects were in custody.

There is no indication that the suspects were injured by the prior gunfire. One of the males was injured as a result of a dog bite and treated for minor injuries before being lodged in police cells.

Andrew Elliott Heigh (28) and Aries Allan Briere (19) are both facing charges of possession of weapon when prohibited, possession of stolen property and attempted theft of motor vehicle (x2).

They remain in custody and are scheduled to attend court tomorrow in Morinville.

The affected public in the area are thanked for their patience while RCMP conducted their investigation.  Several Units were involved including the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and the Forensic Identification Section. The investigation into these incidents remains ongoing while the RCMP continue to gather evidence.

Information obtained indicates that there remains a third suspect who has not been identified or located.  There is no description available of the third male.  Indications are that he has left the Morinville area.

If you have any information about this incident or the third male involved, please contact the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550.   If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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.

BACKGROUND:

June 29, 2020

Morinville RCMP investigating car jacking – Update

Villeneuve, Alta. – The RCMP have allowed travel again on area highways, and the public’s movements are no longer being asked to be restricted.

Morinville RCMP members remain in the area while the investigation into this early morning incident continues.

A media update outlining the events surrounding this incident will be made available once further information is gathered and verified.

June 29, 2020

Morinville RCMP investigating car jacking

Villeneuve, Alta. – The RCMP have two males in custody and have an active investigation following an early morning car jacking near Highway 44 and Township Road 544.

At 5:42 a.m. today, Morinville RCMP were alerted to an armed robbery with shots allegedly fired by the culprits.  Male suspects stole a vehicle and drove away.  The driver of the stolen vehicle was not injured.

The stolen vehicle became disabled, and the males fled on foot.  One was arrested near the abandoned vehicle and one was arrested following a track by Police Dog Services.

The area has been contained. There is a large RCMP presence, including Police Dog Services, the RCMP helicopter and supporting detachment members. The public is asked to remain in their residences while police continue to investigate, and to report any suspicious activity.

If you see any suspicious activity call 911.

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