Four RCMP members hitched a ride on a farmer’s tractor Friday afternoon as they tracked down three suspects through a wet and muddy field near Briercrest, Sask.
The farmer’s help was just a portion of the effort put forward by the town’s residents to assist police.
Residents driving trucks and quads, and even one community member flying a plane, helped officers search for the suspects.
RCMP were called to a report of a stolen truck in Briercrest around 4:30 a.m. Friday. The truck was found abandoned in the town. A member of the community, believing the truck was stolen, removed the keys from the ignition after witnessing three individuals standing outside the vehicle, according to a police media release.
The suspects, without transportation to leave the town, were now somewhere in the area on foot, police said.
A canine unit and neighbouring police detachments were called to assist the tracking efforts. Word spread among residents to keep an eye out for the three suspects and to alert police of sightings.
Several residents assisted police by searching grid roads in their pickup trucks. Others canvassed wet and boggy areas with quads and one resident, a pilot, took to the air to search.
RCMP called off the search after several unsuccessful hours as the police service dog was no longer able to track the suspects.
Hours later, shortly after noon, a resident reported seeing three people walking through a wet and muddy field. The area was impassable by the RCMP’s 4x4 vehicle.
A local farmer stepped in and offered to help. He transported four officers into the field where police eventually arrested the suspects.
The three suspects, all male youth from Regina ranging in age from 16 to 17, were transported to cells at the Moose Jaw Police Service.
An RCMP spokesperson said Saturday the youth would be facing various charges including theft, possession of stolen property and breach of probation.
Briercrest is about 55 kilometres southwest of Regina
