Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrest armed drug dealers after they fail to pay for oil change

On Sept. 18, 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report of a group of individuals who had just received an oil change and intentionally left without paying.

Members of the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit quickly located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle went into reverse and rammed the officers vehicle. Despite this, police were able to approach the vehicle and arrest all four occupants including the driver who tried to flee on foot.

In the vehicle police found a shot gun, a loaded semi auto rifle, a modified rifle, about 15 grams of Fentanyl, and about 100 Gabapentin pills.  

“We are happy to have quickly responded and apprehended these offenders on what began as a fairly minor offence ,” said Cpl. John Learn of the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit.

“Removing these armed individuals and their weapons from our streets is the type of impact that the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction strives for.”

Memphis Mackinaw, 22, of Ermineskin Cree Nation was charged with five weapons offences, two counts of possession of a firearm contrary to an order, escape lawful custody, and assault of a peace officer with a weapon.  

Mackinaw was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Oct. 3 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

Matthew James Crane-Watchmaker, 25, of Samson Cree Nation was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance, five weapons offences, possession of a firearm contrary to an order and three counts of failing to comply with a release order.

 Crane-Watchmaker was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Sept. 24 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

Daleena Cedar Soosay-Samson, 23, of Mackwacis was charged with five weapons offences.

Soosay-Samson was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Sept. 23 at the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert.

Shane Everette Morin, 19, of Maskwacis, was charged with five weapons offences and possession of a firearm contrary to an order. Morin was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Sept. 23, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.