Mounties have charged three people and are searching for at least one more in connection to a near century-old church that burned down in the hamlet of Bellis on September 21. RCMP say they had calls about one attempted and one successful vehicle theft shortly after 2 a.m. last Sunday.
Police found the suspects who left the area in two separate vehicles. They fled and a tire deflation device was used. One of the vehicles steered toward a cruiser, crashing into it.
Authorities said officers pulled up to the vehicle and were bear-maced by one of the suspects. The stolen vehicle left the scene. The other vehicle eventually stopped with two suspects fleeing on foot. Police dog services and aircraft members were used in locating and arresting three suspects, one of which was a youth.
Just after 3am Mounties received calls about a fire in the hamlet of Bellis that ultimately destroyed the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It was decided that an accelerant was likely used in the fire.
Officers found candelabras and crucifixes in the suspect vehicle, which pointed officers to link the church fire to the individuals involved in the vehicle theft.
As a result of the investigation, the youth, a 23-year-old and a 26-year-old were arrested and charged with:
- flight from police;
- dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- mischief under $5,000;
- assaulting police with a weapon;
- break and enter;
- arson;
- possession of break-in tools;
- possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and
- mischief to cultural property.
RCMP believe there is at least one more suspect that has yet to be identified or arrested. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Smoky Lake RCMP.
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