A 33-year-old man from Lloydminster faces multiple charges following an incident Monday evening outside a business in Onion Lake.
An RCMP news release says an officer observed several “suspicious” persons operating a side-by-side. The officer pulled up to them and turned on the emergency lights. The side-by-side accelerated and rammed the police vehicle. The officer was not physically injured.
The side-by-side was found abandoned and damaged about one kilometre away. A short time later, 33-year-old Josh McLaren was arrested nearby.
McLaren is facing several charges:
– one count, assault on police officer with weapon.
– one count, flight from peace officer.
– one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
– one count, wear disguise with intent.
– one count, failure to stop after accident.
– one count, operation while impaired.
This incident is one of multiple recent assaults against Saskatchewan RCMP officers. They include:
– On October 6, 2023, Pierceland RCMP attempted observed a stolen vehicle on Big Island Lake Cree Territory. They attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and rammed a police vehicle while doing so. The officers were not injured. A 24-year-old male has been charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon and other charges in relation to this incident (Information #90515906).
– On September 30, 2023, La Ronge RCMP received a report of an unwanted individual at a residence in La Ronge. Officers located the individual, who resisted arrest, assaulted a police officer and attempted to unholster their conducted energy device. The officer reported non-life-threatening injuries. An adult male has been charged two counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon and other charges in relation to this incident
– On September 18, 2023, officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team observed a stolen vehicle on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. They attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and rammed a police vehicle while doing so. A male has been charged and is on warrant in relation to this incident. A photo of the damaged police vehicle can be viewed at the top of this story.
Saskatchewan RCMP report assaults on officers have jumped 29 per cent over the past five years. During the first nine months of this year, the total is 375 assaults—which is already more than the entire number in 2018.
