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Wetaskiwin RCMP make arrests for possession of stolen property and weapons offences

Three men have been arrested with stolen vehicles and guns in their possession.
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Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a call in the evening of Mar. 17, 2020 about suspicious vehicles in the ditch on Range Road 262 and Township 470 in Wetaskiwin County.

When RCMP arrived to the scene, two men on foot fled from the vehicles, and with assistance from the public, a third man was located shortly after.

Tofield’s and Airdrie’s detachment confirmed that the two suspicious vehicles involved were stolen. Inside the vehicles the police located one loaded handgun and five long barrel guns.

The guns were stolen from a residence in Tofield along with other high power rifles.

With the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Service, the police located a loaded handgun in the field where the third male was arrested.

Billy Okeynan, Shane Black and Westley Bidlock-Hawkins were arrested and charged for a number of firearm and property related charges.

Okeynan was also wanted on 12 outstanding warrant charges from Leduc, Thorsby and Wetaskiwin Detachments. Black was also wanted on five outstanding warrant charges out of the Leduc Detachment.

Billy Kirk Okeynan, 31, of Rimbey has been charged with the following:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x3)

• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (x2)

• Possession of Break-in Instruments

• Fail to comply with release order (x2)

• Operate motor vehicle while prohibited

• Operate an uninsured motor vehicle

Westley Richard Bidlock-Hawkins, 31, of Edmonton has been charged with the following:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2)

• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000

• Possession of Break-in Instruments

• Fail to comply with release order (x2)

• Resisting a Peace Officer

• Fail to comply with probation

Shane Richard Black, 25, of Westerose has been charged with the following:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2)

• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000

• Possession of break-in instruments

• Possession of methamphetamine

• Possession of weapon obtained by crime (x 4)

• Possession of a firearm contrary to Prohibition order (x4)

• Unsafe storage of firearm (x4)

• Operate motor vehicle while prohibited

• Operate an uninsured motor vehicle

Wetaskiwin RCMP continue to investigate and more charges are pending.

All three individuals were all brought before a Justice of the Peace for a bail hearing. Okeynan and Bidlock-Hawkins were both remanded and are scheduled to appear in court for all matters on March 19, 2020. Black was released on $2000 promise to pay release order for Wetaskiwin matters and scheduled to appear in court on June 9, 2020. Black was also released on $2000 promise to pay release order for Leduc matters and scheduled to appear in court on June 18, 2020.

The Wetaskiwin RCMP would like to thank those who assisted with this case. Working directly with the community assisted the Wetaskiwin RCMP greatly in arresting one of the accused.

If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police. 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.”