An armed and dangerous Moosomin First Nation man who evaded arrest remains in custody after his first court appearance.
Jonathan Swiftwolfe appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court Dec. 8 by CCTV and the matter was adjourned.
Swiftwolfe was arrested Dec. 6 after a team effort by multiple RCMP detachments including Battlefords RCMP, the North Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force, the North Battleford Municipal General Investigation Section, the Saskatchewan RCMP Crime Reduction Team and other specialized support units.
On Dec. 5 the Battlefords RCMP had issued a public warning saying they were trying to locate Swiftwolfe after he had been evading police since April for breaching conditions. Police pointed out that Swiftwolfe had 鈥淲estside鈥� tattooed on the side of his face and neck. Westside is a dangerous and violent street gang.
Swiftwolfe was wanted on warrants for charges including two counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a weapon contrary to a probation order, two counts of flight from police, and dangerous operation of vehicle.
Through the RCMP, Bradley Swiftwolfe, the Chief of the Moosomin First Nation, also stated on Dec. 5 that the safety and security of band members on Moosomin First Nation was a primary concern for the chief and council saying Jonathan Swiftwolfe must be arrested as quickly as possible.
On Dec. 6 at about 6:30 p.m. RCMP located Swiftwolfe driving a stolen vehicle on Hwy 4 near Sweet Grass First Nation. A female passenger was with him.
RCMP activated their emergency lights and sirens trying to stop Swiftwolfe but he refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. Police said they made a decision to initiate a pursuit because of Swiftwolfe鈥檚 violent nature.
The RCMP Crime Reduction Team officers laid tire deflation devices on Highway 40 in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The stolen vehicle was forced to a stop at the Table Mountain turnoff on Hwy 40 just east of Sweet Grass First Nation.
Swiftwolfe and Cassandra Fox, 24, were arrested without incident. Fox was wanted on numerous warrants including assault with a weapon and failure to comply with a release order.
The vehicle was searched and police seized a loaded firearm within reach of the driver.
Fox also appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on Dec. 8 and was released from custody. She is scheduled to appear next in North Battleford Provincial Court on Dec. 16 to enter a plea on some of her charges and elect how she wants to be tried on other charges.
Swiftwolfe is trying to get released on bail and has a show cause hearing scheduled on Dec. 10 in North Battleford Provincial Court.
Moosomin First Nation is about 22 kilometres north of North Battleford. Sweetgrass First Nation is about 35 kilometres west of North Battleford.
