Trackhoe destroyer of RCMP vehicles to appear in Bonnyville court today

The amount of damage is totalled at $430,000 due to the police units. 

The man facing several charges after using a trackhoe to destroy multiple police vehicles is scheduled to appear in Bonnyville court today.

David Merko, 62, had his first court appearance on May 6 after being remanded into custody on charges of:

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Mischief over $5,000 (6x)
• Break and enter
• Theft over $5,000
• Possession of stolen property over $5,000
• Resisting/obstructing a peace officer (2x)
• Uttering threats

Called a “calculated and destructive act,” on May 3, Merko is accused of stealing a trackhoe from a Bonnyville business, driving it to the detachment, collecting several large boulders, and then placing them 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, and fled on foot.

He was caught after several local police units coordinated, as well as Police Dog Services, to catch the suspect in the bushes.

On April 17, Merko allegedly called the Saskatchewan RCMP dispatch centre and threatened to kill officers.

While there was negativity online directed towards the Bonnyville RCMP detachment, and police in general, S/Sgt. Sarah Parke said in the following days, the detachment was overwhelmed with cards, flowers, and food, as residents relayed their support for the detachment in the aftermath of the attack.