LLOYDMINSTER – An Onion Lake man who was charged in connection to a violent home invasion is back in custody after being released on bail in February.
Twenty-four-year-old Riley Baptiste appeared by phone in Lloydminster court from Onion Lake RCMP cells Monday. He was arrested and charged with breaching release conditions April 7. The court heard that he allegedly resisted police by running away, obstructed a police officer by giving a false name, and breached his release conditions by not staying inside an approved residence 24-hours a day.
North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Loren Klein opposed his release and the matter was adjourned to April 13 when he is expected to appear by CCTV from the correctional centre.
Baptiste was released on bail in February following a contested bail hearing in Lloydminster court. Baptiste was also released on bail Nov. 17, 2021, and arrested Dec. 31, 2021, for allegedly breaching release conditions.
The home invasion charges stem from an incident on Jan. 31, 2021. Baptiste and Garth Swiftwolfe were charged with shooting and kicking in a door on Onion Lake Cree Nation.
In July 2021, Baptiste pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried in provincial court. He had a trial scheduled in February on the charges from the home invasion but it was rescheduled to May due to COVID-19. He is charged with break and enter, pointing a firearm at another person, using a firearm in a careless manner, intentionally discharging a firearm in a reckless manner, possession of a firearm without a license, assault with a weapon, being in a vehicle knowing it contained a firearm, and possession of a firearm for a purpose dangerous to the public.
The charges against Baptiste haven’t been proven in court. Baptiste was living in Onion Lake at the time of the alleged crime but he is from Red Pheasant and North Battleford.
In April 2021, Swiftwolfe was sentenced to eight years in prison for that incident and a separate incident in North Battleford the following day.
Story updated to reflect that Riley Baptiste is from Red Pheasant.
