Edmonton, Alberta – Alberta RCMP continue to investigate the activities which occurred at the Coutts border protest in February 2022 and further charges have been laid.
Marco Van Huigenbos (32), a resident of Fort Macleod, Alta.; Alex Van Herk (53), a resident of Fort Macleod; and Gerhard (George) Janzen (43), a resident of Taber, Alta., have each been charged with Mischief over $5,000.
These charges stem from these individuals’ being key participants of the Coutts border blockade that took place between Jan. 29 to Feb. 15, 2022.
All three individuals have been released and will appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Oct. 4, 2022.
In a previous news release, Alberta RCMP laid charges against two adult males of 62 and 39 years of age. Those charges have since been withdrawn.
Alberta RCMP
BACKGROUND
Milk River, Alberta – Alberta RCMP continue to investigate the activities which occurred at the Coutts border protest and further charges have been laid.
On Feb. 14, 2022, at approximately 11 a.m., officers were monitoring traffic at a check stop when they noted a large commercial vehicle pull to the side of the road and stop. After a short period of time, the vehicle accelerated and drove at officers who had to run out of the way to avoid getting hit.
James Edward Sowery (36) of Flagstaff County, Alta., was arrested and charged with:
· Assault with a weapon
· Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
James Sowery was released on an undertaking with conditions and will appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on March 28, 2022.
On Feb. 1, 2022, at approximately 1:10 p.m., officers were monitoring a check stop when they noted a large pick-up approaching. The female driver initially stopped but then proceeded to drive through the blockade. She drove southbound in the northbound lane and a short time later was involved in a head on collision.
Joanne Lynne Person (62) of Coutts, Alta., was arrested and has been charged with:
· Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
Joanne Person was released on an appearance notice and will appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on March 23, 2022.
Alberta RCMP Southern Alberta District
Background
Feb. 24, 2022
CORRECTION: Alberta RCMP make arrests at Coutts Border Blockade – Update #2
Edmonton – The Alberta RCMP wish to make a correction and clarification on the previous news release:
1) Jaclyne Martin has only been charged with Mischief Over $5,000.
2) Jerry Morin was the individual who was arrested on the highway where two weapons were seized.
The Alberta RCMP regret any confusion this may have caused.
BACKGROUND
Feb. 15, 2022
Alberta RCMP make arrests at Coutts Border Blockade – Update #2
Edmonton – The following individuals have been charged from recent incidents at the Coutts border protest:
Chris Carbert (44), Chris Lysak (48), Anthony Olienick (39), Jerry Morin (40), and have all been charged with:
• Conspiracy to Commit Murder
• Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Mischief Over $5,000
Chris Lysak has additionally been charged with:
• Uttering Threats
Jaclyne Martin (39), Ursla Allred (22), Joanne Person (62), Luke Berk (62), Evan Colenutt (23), Johnson Law (39), Justin Martin (22), Eastin Oler (22), and Janx Zaremba (18) have all been charged with:
• Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Mischief Over $5,000
BACKGROUND
Feb. 14, 2022
Alberta RCMP make arrests at Coutts Border Blockade – Update
Coutts, Alta. – Additional individuals have been arrested in connection to the Coutts border blockade:
Earlier today, we had an arrest on the highway where two weapons were seized and an individual was arrested and remains in custody. He was stopped by police while en-route back to the protest site.
At approximately 12:45 p.m., a northbound semi truck approached an RCMP check stop north of Milk River, Alta. when the driver accelerated and drove towards our members. The driver swerved at the last moment and hit some traffic cones which were on the roadway. The driver was arrested close to the scene for criminal code offences.
These are the 12th and 13th individuals to be arrested in the past 24 hours in connection to the Coutts border protests.
BACKGROUND
Feb. 14, 2022
Alberta RCMP make arrests at Coutts Border Blockade
Coutts Alta – The Alberta RCMP recently became aware of a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest. Information was received that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition. The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade. This resulted in an immediate and complex investigation to determine the extent of the threat and criminal organization.
As a result of this investigation, the Alberta RCMP executed a search warrant during the early hours of Feb. 14, on three trailers associated to this criminal organization. This resulted in the arrest and detainment of 11 individuals.
As result of these search warrants, the following was seized:
· 13 long guns
· handguns
· multiple sets of body armour
· a machete
· a large quantity of ammunition
· high capacity magazines
An example of the militant mindset of a small segment of the protest, earlier in the evening, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a large farm tractor and a semi truck, both involved in the blockade, attempted to ram a police vehicle. The police officer was able to reposition and avoid the collision. RCMP officers followed the suspects to a location where the protesters were gathered. The driver of the tractor was identified and we are actively working to locate him so he can be taken into custody. The Alberta RCMP have seized the farm tractor and semi truck involved in this incident.
The Alberta RCMP wants to emphasize that our primary goal throughout this event has been and will continue to be the safety of the public, as well as our officers.
The Alberta RCMP will resume efforts to end the illegal blockade which has prevented access to the Coutts border. We encourage all participants who are involved in this illegal action to leave immediately or relocate to the designated site for the legal protest.
The Alberta RCMP will provide further updates as they become available.
Alberta RCMP
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