One man is in custody after a robbery lead Prince Albert Police on a search through the woods.

On Tuesday Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a stolen SUV, with firearms in it, that had been abandoned in a wooded area near Macdowall.  Another report indicated a man carrying a firearm had been walking along a wooded trail on the edge of the Nesbitt Forest in the same area also was received.

RCMP responded with the Police Dog Services unit to the scene and began a search that lasted into the evening.  The Saskatoon Police were contacted for air support, and were successful in spotting a man in a heavily wooded, remote area, southeast of Macdowall.

35 year-old William “Billy” Sanderson was arrested without incident and a firearm was allegedly recovered from the scene.

Sanderson is charged with carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm while prohibited, carrying a firearm in a careless manner and pointing a firearm.  He also had multiple warrants from the Melfort RCMP and Prince Police.

“The teamwork between all involved units and officers was ultimately what led this investigation to a safe resolution for everyone involved,” shares Inspector Murray Chamberlin, North District RCMP Operations Officer. “Imagine being in full police uniform with all your safety equipment and gear on, running through the woods and down makeshift trails for six kilometers with an RCMP police service dog in the darkness. You’re being guided by partners in the air and supported by additional officers on the ground, running towards an individual who reportedly has a firearm. Challenging doesn’t begin to describe situations like this. I’m extremely proud of the work of everyone involved and so thankful the situation ended without further incident.”