BUFFALO NARROWS - Shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 30, Buffalo Narrows RCMP received a report of a distressed female by the lagoon near Buffalo Narrows. Officers responded and the female reported an adult male passenger in her vehicle had stolen the car they were travelling in and her baby was still inside.
Buffalo Narrows officers immediately began searching for the car. Beauval RCMP also responded, patrolling the highway between the communities. La Loche RCMP were also preparing to deploy and assist. Patrols were conducted in the community and on the main roadways in the area.
At 3 a.m., the car was located by officers on Highway #155 south of Buffalo Narrows, pulled over on the side of the road, still running and doors locked. The adult male driver was asleep in the driver’s seat. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to wake the driver, officers broke the passenger side window to gain access and shut off the vehicle. The male was arrested at the scene.
The child was located safe and asleep in the back seat of the car in their car seat.
“The fast response of the officers conducting immediate patrols on roadways is what led us to locate the child. Police officer familiarity with the area was also critical,” says S/Sgt. Shawn Carter, Buffalo Narrows RCMP Detachment Commander. “I can say without a doubt the two officers who located the child were extremely relieved – all of us at the detachment were. A million what-ifs run through your head during a call like this. It was an unforgettable moment to reunite the child with mom.”
Riley Lemaigre, 18, from Prince Albert is charged with:
- kidnapping without firearm, section 279(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code
- operation while impaired (alcohol) over 80 mg% of motor vehicle, section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
- operation while impaired (alcohol), section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
- failure to comply with release order condition, section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code
He will appear in La Loche Provincial Court on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 at 10 a.m.
