Two arrested in Alberta investigation with help from Fort St. John RCMP, police dogs

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Police officers in Alberta are thanking the Fort St. John RCMP detachment for helping secure two arrests in a cross-jurisdictional stolen vehicle investigation.

According to a press release from the RCMP detachment in Peace River, Alberta, officers from Peace River and Fairview were alerted to a “suspicious vehicle towing a holiday trailer” on April 3rd.

Both the vehicle and the trailer were later alleged to have been stolen. Officers in Fairview reportedly found the vehicle in Hines Creek and attempted a traffic stop, but the drivers allegedly fled the scene.

“The vehicle and trailer were located on several occasions throughout the day thanks to the combined efforts of RCMP members as well as members of the public, who called in all sightings,” the release reads. 

“The blue pickup was located for the last time on an oilfield road near the BC border, though the trailer had been found abandoned earlier that day.”

Officers say two people allegedly fled the vehicle and were later picked up by Fort St. John RCMP officers and RCMP police dogs.

One person sustained minor injuries while allegedly trying to flee from a police dog, and was taken to hospital for treatment.

As a result of the investigation, 39-year-old Christian Singer from Keg River, Alberta and 42-year-old Kristen Letendre of Loon Lake, Alberta were arrested.

Singer has been charged with two counts of possession of stolen property greater than $5,000 and one count each of flight from police, driving while prohibited, possession of a prohibited weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving while uninsured.

Letendre, meanwhile, faces two counts of possession of stolen property greater than $5,000 and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon.

“We would like to thank the public for their assistance on this file,” said corporal Kurtis Fink of the Fairview RCMP detachment. 

“It is thanks to your vigilance that Fairview RCMP, assisted by RCMP Police Dog Services and our partners at the BC RCMP Fort St. John Detachment, was able to locate and apprehend these suspects.”

According to the release, Singer and Letendre aren’t believed to be responsible for stealing the truck and the trailer. The investigation into that incident is reportedly still ongoing.

Singer was remanded into police custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fairview on April 7th. Letendre was released on conditions, with an appearance at that same court scheduled for April 23rd.