The tense standoff occurred in a parking lot in North Battleford on Jan. 8, 2025.(Facebook/ Wildman's Haven)

By battlefordsNOW staff

TASED

Wanted man arrested in North Battleford after a standoff with RCMP officers

Jan 9, 2025 | 5:47 PM

Two men were arrested and charged with drug trafficking on Wednesday in North Battleford, one of whom had an outstanding warrant.

Last night, around 6 p.m., the Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Crime Reduction Team—Gang Task Force (CRT-GTF) received tips about a suspect linked to an ongoing investigation by the Saskatoon Police Service.

After following the tips, the CRT-GTF and Police Dog Services located the suspect at a business on Railway Ave East. To prevent his escape, officers blocked his vehicle.

When the suspect exited the business, he was informed of his arrest. However, he resisted and fled, climbing onto the roof of a random car. The individual inside the vehicle was safely removed, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.

While the suspect remained on the car’s roof, officers attempted to engage him using verbal de-escalation techniques, but he remained uncooperative. Officers then simultaneously deployed a 40mm extended-range impact round and a conducted energy device as a next step.

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After being struck, the suspect fell from the roof and was apprehended by the RCMP North Battleford CRT-GTF, Police Dog Services, and the Battlefords Detachment officers.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assessed the suspect at the scene and transported him to the hospital. Later, he was deemed fit to return to RCMP custody and was held at the Battlefords Detachment.

Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, officers seized a conducted energy device, methamphetamine, evidence of drug trafficking, forged documents, and unstamped tobacco.

As a result of the investigation, 35-year-old Rolfe Herman from La Loche has been charged with several offences, including possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon, two counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

Additionally, another man who was a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle was apprehended at a nearby business. Following the investigation, 42-year-old Clinton Opekokew from Île-à-la-Crosse was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon, possession of stolen property under $5,000, two counts of using, trafficking, or possessing a forged document, and identity theft.

They are both scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on Jan. 10.

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cjnb-news@pattisonmedia.com