Three Imperial residents were charged last week as a result of an April 26 series of crimes that started in Imperial, moved up Highway 2 to Watrous and ended with police shooting one of the suspects on Highway 16 near Clavet.
Last Thursday, RCMP reported they charged three people in relation to break and enter and thefts that are alleged to have occurred during the morning of April 26 in and around Imperial and then later that morning in Watrous.
At about 2:50 p.m., April 26, RCMP stopped a vehicle on Highway 16 near Clavet that matched a description of a vehicle spotted during the break ins in Watrous. During the traffic stop RCMP shot and injured one of the male suspects.
Derek Marlon Cote, 35, as of last Thursday, was still in hospital after being shot by police. He is remanded in custody and will make his first court appearance once he is discharged from hospital. He is charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, pointing a firearm, possession of firearms obtained by the commission of an offence, possession of firearms while prohibited, possession of property obtained by the commission of an offence and break enter and theft.
Two women, who were in the vehicle, are also facing charges. Erin Tootoosis, 33, and Karen Hillmer, 57, both Imperial residents, have each been charged with possession of stolen property. They will make their first court appearance on June 27 at Provincial Court in Saskatoon.
A second male, whom police arrested during the Hwy. 16 traffic stop, was released from custody with no charges.
Cpl. Rob King said an RCMP investigation is ongoing and has resulted in the recovery of nine stolen guns and numerous personal and household items including electronics and jewellery resulting from the initial traffic stop.
He said RCMP are investigating complaints of three break and enters in Watrous, two break and enter and thefts in Imperial, two more in the Imperial rural area and one attempted break and enter in the Imperial rural area.
The April 26 break ins and thefts and the shooting have shocked the Imperial community, which has a population of about 350 and is the kind of town where everyone knows everybody.
According to townsfolk, the accused have lived in the community for about two years.
RCMP and Regina Police Service continue to investigate the circumstances that lead to the RCMP discharge of a firearm. Regina police are investigating the use of force by the RCMP members and will report the results of their investigation to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.
No RCMP members were injured in the incident.