On the morning of November 18, 2023, a Saskatoon RCMP officer responded to a report of an alarm and pulled up to the business to find a severely damaged door and a heavy-duty chain.
Police say investigation determined that a vehicle pulled up to the business, and suspects broke into the building, attached the chain to an ATM inside of it, and used the vehicle to pull it out and steal it, along with approximately $20,000 worth of cigarettes. The ATM was later located in a field not far away.
Officers continued to investigate by analyzing evidence, including surveillance video taken at scenes of crimes. On March 9, 2024, officers arrested an adult male on Highway #11, south of Saskatoon. 58-year-old Wesley John from Saskatoon was charged with 12 offences, including break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime.
Officers continued to investigate after his arrest and determined that over 20 incidents reported to police throughout Saskatchewan were connected. They included six ATM thefts and many thefts of motor vehicles.
The map below shows where in Saskatchewan these connected incidents occurred.
On August 1, 2024, officers say they executed a search warrant at a residence on One Arrow First Nation, where they arrested 49-year-old Kelly Almightyvoice.
Wesley John and 49-year-old Kelly Almightyvoice from One Arrow First Nation have each been charged with 24 counts of break and enter, 12 counts of possession of the proceeds of crime, and 14 counts of wearing a disguise while committing an offence.
John is next scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on August 29, and Almightyvoice appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on August 21.