Bonnyville man charged following target attack on RCMP
On the evening of Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, Bonnyville RCMP were the target of a calculated and destructive act involving a stolen track hoe, resulting in significant property damage and a multi-agency police response. The suspect, 62-year-old David Merko of Bonnyville, now faces multiple charges related to the incident.
Incident Summary
At approximately 6:55 p.m., a male suspect stole a track hoe from a local business in Bonnyville, damaging a fence while exiting the property. The suspect, later identified as David Merko, then drove the heavy machinery to the Bonnyville RCMP detachment.
On route, Merko collected several large boulders, which he deposited in front of the RCMP’s prisoner bay door in what appeared to be an attempt to obstruct police response capabilities. He then used the stolen track hoe to severely damage five unoccupied police vehicles parked at the detachment, rendering them inoperable. The suspect fled the scene on foot.
Swift Police Response
The RCMP’s Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC), based at K Division Headquarters, coordinated the high-risk response. Additional support was quickly mobilized from several detachments and units, including:
- St. Paul Police Dog Services (PDS)
- Cold Lake and Elk Point RCMP
- Eastern Alberta District General Investigation Section
- RCMP Drone Services (RPAS)
- Crime Reduction Unit
Thanks to coordinated containment efforts, PDS “Chase” and his handler located Merko in a treeline northwest of the detachment. Merko resisted arrest and sustained a bite from the police dog during the struggle. He was transported to a local hospital, treated, and released into police custody.
Charges Laid Against David Merko
David Merko has been formally charged with 13 Criminal Code offenses, including:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Six counts of mischief over $5,000
- Break and enter
- Theft over $5,000
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
- Two counts of resisting/obstructing a peace officer
Uttering threats
The uttering threats charge stems from a separate incident on April 17th, when Merko reportedly called a Saskatchewan RCMP dispatch centre and threatened to kill officers.
Following a judicial interim release hearing, Merko was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Bonnyville Provincial Court on Tuesday, May 6th.
Community Impact and Operational Recovery
While the damage to the five police vehicles is estimated at $430,000, RCMP operations were not hindered, thanks to the rapid assistance from neighboring detachments that lent vehicles immediately. Bonnyville officers continue their duties using marked vehicles from Cold Lake, St. Paul, and other nearby RCMP locations.
Staff Sergeant Sarah Parke confirmed that Merko was known to police but declined to elaborate further. She emphasized that the detachment remains operational and committed to serving the Bonnyville community without interruption.
Public Reaction and Officer Safety
S/Sgt. Parke addressed the mixed public response to the incident, acknowledging the viral attention it received online. While some community members expressed support, others posted disturbing comments, including disappointment that no officers were harmed.
“This is extremely disheartening,” said Parke. “RCMP officers go to work each day to serve and protect the communities they live and work in.”
She also noted a troubling trend of increased violence toward Alberta RCMP members. In 2023, there were 2.3 reported violent incidents per day against officers, resulting in injuries to 70 members. Thankfully, no officers were injured during this event.
Investigative Review and Security Measures
The RCMP is conducting a review of the incident and considering additional protective measures and policies to strengthen detachment security. Though officers felt endangered during the incident, Parke stated that RCMP members rely on their training to manage such threats.
Despite the seriousness of the attack, officers successfully arrested the suspect using non-lethal force. “Anytime we can take someone into custody without using lethal force, that’s always the goal,” said Parke.
Looking Forward
While the incident has placed Bonnyville RCMP in the public spotlight, S/Sgt. Parke stated that her team remains strong and committed.
“We’re not going to let this get us down,” she said. “Everyone here is leaning on each other for support, and we’re getting through it together.”
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