Cold Laker arrested in gas station theft in Vegreville

Image submitted, Vegreville RCMP: The pellet gun brandished at a gas station employee. RCMP deployed multiple resources including members from the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Air Services, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, and Sherwood Park RCMP to apprehend the suspects. 

A Cold Lake man is one of three people facing robbery and other charges as part of a gas station theft in Vegreville.

The situation happened on Sunday, March 23 at around 5:00AM, according to an RCMP report released on Tuesday.

A suspect entered the store and pointed a firearm at the employee demanding money, police say. 

Ultimately, the suspects stole the employee’s purse and vehicle keys. The suspects then stole the victim’s vehicle and fled.  

Vegreville RCMP located the stolen vehicle travelling west on Highway 16 towards Edmonton. When RCMP attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled, police say. 

There was a short pursuit when the vehicle lost control and struck a fence at Elk Island Park. 

One suspect was quickly arrested with the vehicle. Two additional suspects fled on foot. 

RCMP deployed multiple resources including members from the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Air Services, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, and Sherwood Park RCMP.

After a lengthy search, police were able to locate and arrest both additional suspects. 

A search of the vehicle revealed a black revolver type pellet gun.

Cold Lake resident Dakota Masson, 38, has been charged with:

• Robbery;
• Intimidation;
• Theft of Motor Vehicle;
• Flight from Police;
• Obstruction.

Edmonton residents Robert Cardinal, 29, and Adam Coates, 29, face the same charges.  

All three men were taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody for future court dates at the Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville.

Quotes

“This call for service is an example of the severity of calls that the Alberta RCMP deal with daily. I am extremely proud of my members in Vegreville. Their quick response and composure resulted in three individuals being arrested without injury to my members, the general public and the suspects. This response also showcases the benefit of having the RCMP as the Provinces contract policing provider,” – Staff Sergeant Colin Folk.

“The RCMP has access to many different sections that can deploy very quickly to calls for service like this to assist front line members in small communities.

“In this particular incident, the Vegreville RCMP had assistance from the RCMP Air Services Helicopter, multiple Police Dog Services members, a drone, and front-line members from three different detachment areas. Having access to all these specific units greatly increases the ability for these situations to end with a positive outcome.”