From the Wetaskiwin RCMP:

On March 17, 2020 at approximately 1730 hrs Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a call of suspicious vehicles in the ditch on Range Road 262 and Township 470 in Wetaskiwin County.  When members arrived one scene two men fled on foot from the vehicles.  A third male was arrested on scene without an incident.

After a foot chase one male was located shortly after. Members were able to locate the third male with the assistance from the public. The two vehicles involved were confirmed stolen from Tofield and Airdrie Detachment.  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 powerful rifles.  With the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Service, the police located a loaded handgun in the field where the third male was apprehended by the police.  

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 5 outstanding warrant charges out of the Leduc Detachment.

Wetaskiwin RCMP continue to investigate and more charges are pending.

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

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.

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

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."

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