Over 20 charges laid after vehicle stealing rampage and kidnapping; four people arrested

Damage done to a rural shop during the RCMP’s pursuit of Preston Halfe. Images St. Paul & Elk Point RCMP.

Four people are facing kidnapping charges after a vehicle stealing rampage that saw police vehicles rammed into.

The first vehicle theft happened at around 3:00pm on Thursday, Feb. 8. Elk Point RCMP determined a woman was sleeping in the backseat of a SUV when it was stolen from a gas station in Elk Point.  

Police say the victim awoke to see that a stranger was driving the SUV, she requested the suspect to stop, but to no avail. 

The victim was able to escape when the suspect reduced speed in an attempt to change his direction of travel. 

But the suspect didn’t act alone, RCMP determined. The vehicle was found in Clandonald and three other suspects were arrested without incident.

Break-ins across the Lakeland area ensued.

Within a short amount of time, properties in Derwent, and a residence south of Beauvallon were hit, where the suspect nearly struck a resident. 

Elk Point RCMP were working with St. Paul RCMP and attended the residence to try arresting the suspect, who was in the process of stealing a pick-up truck from the garage.

“Preston Halfe put countless lives at risk on his criminal rampage today, victimizing numerous individuals along the way. The suspect was highly motivated to evade police custody and our members did everything possible to prevent the continuation of the offenses, ensure public safety, and bring this series of events to a timely, safe conclusion.” – Sgt. Bobby Burgess of the St. Paul RCMP detachment.

The suspect evading arrest despite the use of a taser (Conductive Energy Weapon) and proceeded to steal a SUV from the residence and fled. 

RCMP continued to pursue the suspect to a third residence near Highway 870 and Highway 631.  The suspect attempted to steal another pickup truck which was left running outside the shop. Pursuing RCMP members utilized vehicle contact to disable the stolen vehicle in effort to prevent the continuation of the ongoing offences and prevent further danger to the public. 

The suspect entered the shop and stole a fourth vehicle parked inside, a pickup truck with a utility trailer attached.

The suspect proceeded to ram police vehicles and escaped by driving through an exterior wall of the building. RCMP continued to pursue and St. Paul members deployed used a spike belt and were successful in stopping the vehicle near Saddle Lake townsite.

As a result of the investigation, Cormac Arden Crawford, 26-year-old resident of St Paul, Kiyana Diamond Hunter, 25-year-old resident of Saddle Lake, and Brittany Gosselin-Redcrow, 18-year-old resident of St. Paul, have been charged with:

• Kidnapping
• Theft of motor vehicle

Preston Leon Halfe, 26-year-old resident of Goodfish Lake, has been charged with 22 criminal code offences, some of which include: 

• Kidnapping
• Theft of motor vehicle x6
• Mischief – causing danger to life
• Break and enter to residence x2
• Mischief over $5,000 x3

Crawford, Hunter and Halfe were all remanded in custody and are to appear next on Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Paul. Gosselin-Redcrow was released from custody and is to appear next on Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Paul.