Alberta RCMP are expressing concern about violence against police officers. This after a 62-year old man from Bonnyville was arrested in the wake of a trackhoe or excavator causing damage to five cop cars at the Bonnyville RCMP on Saturday, May 3.
Alberta RCMP point out that in 2023, 70 members were injured as a result of use of force incidents. They are thankful that no one was injured in this case, but “there are 2.3 incidents of violence occurring every day towards Alberta RCMP officers.”
MyLloydminsterNow has reached out to Alberta RCMP for more details on the overall scenario, as the police noted, “this incident has garnered a lot of attention on social media, and unfortunately, many of the comments are negative, some of which are threatening towards RCMP to the point of expressing disappointment that officers were not injured or killed during the incident. All RCMP officers come to work, day in and day out, to protect and serve their community. It is extremely disheartening to see these types of comments made.”
David Merko, is charged with 13 criminal code offences:
- Dangerous driving
- Six counts of Mischief over $5,000
- Break and enter
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
- Theft over $5,000
- Two counts of Obstruct/resist peace officer
- Uttering threats
Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Sarah Parke says, “Incidents like this can be frightening for communities. In this instance, we believe there was no threat to the public and the RCMP was the target. Alberta RCMP officers from neighbouring detachments did not hesitate to assist to ensure the suspect was quickly taken into custody, as well as assisting with ensuring on-going police service in Bonnyville.”
Merko’s last charge of uttering threats stems from an April 17 incident in which, the suspect called OCC (dispatch) in Saskatchewan and uttered threats to kill RCMP officers.
After a judicial interim release hearing, Merko was remanded into custody for Alberta Court of Justice in Bonnyville on Tuesday, May 6.
