Charges laid after suspect from 2021 break and enter is arrested

More charges have been laid relating to a kidnapping and weapons offences after a situation more than a year ago  

On Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, Bonnyville RCMP released another update, stemming from a break and enter where the homeowner returned to their residence and had a gun pointed at them in Frog Lake on Dec. 13, 2021. 

Frog Lake man, Peter Edward Trottier, 35, was arrested by Bonnyville RCMP and Airdrie RCMP on Dec. 15, 2022, police said. 

He faces 27 charges, including 17 weapons related, kidnapping with a firearm, four counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, breaking and entering, and driving offences. 

Trottier appeared in Bonnyville Provincial Court on Jan. 3, 2023. 

The incident saw a major police presence from Bonnyville, Kitscoty, Elk Point and Cold Lake Detachments; St.Paul RCMP Traffic Services, the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, Alberta RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle reconnaissance), St. Paul and Cold Lake RCMP Police Dog Services, Alberta RCMP Graphic Services and Saskatchewan RCMP officers from Onion Lake, Sask. responding in the search for the suspects. 

The Dec. 13, 2021 began at roughly 11:51am and saw the suspects flee the house after being interrupted by the homeowner and brandishing a gun at them. 

Police tried to stop the getaway vehicle, and eventually used a tire deflation device near Frog Lake First Nation. The suspects fled into a nearby field. That’s when additional cops were called in. 

Meanwhile, the Frog Lake School was put into a hold and secure as the search was on, and remained until 5:30pm, roughly five-and-a-half hours after the initial report of a break and enter. 

The strong police presence scaled down with the departure of the RCMP Emergency Response Team at approximately 6:00pm. 

During the investigation, a firearm was recovered as well as other evidence. A 25-year-old female was arrested. 

A 25-year-old, Hellen Rochelle Smith of Cold Lake, was arrested on Nov. 2, 2022 and handed 21 charges. 

They include 17 weapons offences, kidnapping with a firearm, breaking and entering, and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime. 

She first appeared in court on Nov. 15, 2022.  

The investigation has gone on for a little over a year.