Morinville RCMP say an armed robbery and attempted carjacking reported June 29 was an extension of vehicle thefts that began in the early morning hours that day.
On June 29, RCMP said they had two males in custody and were actively investigating an early morning carjacking near Hwy. 44 and Twp. Rd. 544. The RCMP received a report at 5:42 a.m. that day of an armed robbery with shots allegedly fired by the suspects. RCMP later said the suspects allegedly fired a shotgun at the pursuing victim of the carjacking, who had continued to follow the suspects.
On July 1, the Morinville RCMP said in a media update that Andrew Elliott Heigh, 28, and Aries Allan Briere, 19, are both facing charges of possessing weapons while prohibited, possessing stolen property and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
RCMP said a break-and-enter was reported at a commercial business in Morinville at 2:36 a.m. on June 29, where a vehicle was stolen. RCMP said another vehicle was abandoned by the suspects at that location.
At 4:34 a.m., the stolen vehicle was reported abandoned in a rural area in Morinville.
Sometime later, a Cadillac Escalade was stolen from Bon Accord.
The attempted carjacking at 5:42 a.m. turned into a police pursuit after members of Morinville RCMP located the stolen Escalade. RCMP unsuccessfully deployed a tire deflation device. An RCMP member saw one of the occupants in possession of a firearm, and discharged his firearm toward the Escalade. The suspects managed to flee.
Following this exchange, the Escalade was involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle on Hwy. 37 and Hwy. 44. The Escalade went off-road, was abandoned and the suspects fled on foot. They made an unsuccessful effort to steal another vehicle before two suspects were apprehended by RCMP with the assistance of Police Dog Services. By 8:30 a.m., two suspects were in custody.
Police say there is no indication either suspect was injured by the prior gunfire. One of the suspects was bitten by a dog and treated for minor injuries before being lodged in police cells.
There was a large RCMP presence in the area following the arrests, including Police Dog Services, the RCMP helicopter and supporting detachment members. RCMP initially asked the public to stay at home while the investigation continued, and to report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
Later that day, the RCMP began allowing travel once more on area highways and said residents no longer had to restrict their movement.
Heigh and Briere remain in custody and were set to appear in Morinville court Thursday.
RCMP are thanking members of the public in the area who were affected by the investigation for their patience. The investigation remains ongoing.
Information obtained indicates a third suspect has not been identified or located. There is no description available of the third male. Indications are that he has left the Morinville area.
If you have any information about this incident or the third male involved, please contact the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
