Red Deer man among suspects charged in connection with blockade
A Red Deer man is among 11 suspects charged in connection with a border blockade at Coutts.
Luke Berk, 62, has been charged with mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, said RCMP.
RCMP arrested 13 people near the main United States border crossing in southern Alberta on Monday after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition.
Police said 11 of the arrests were made in a pre-dawn raid on three trailers in the Coutts area, where a blockade was set up more than two weeks ago to protest a vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers and other pandemic restrictions. Officers seized 13 long guns, handguns, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and body armour.
Two additional people were arrested later Monday. Police said one was stopped on the highway while heading back to the protest site, and two weapons were seized.
The other was arrested when a northbound semi truck approached an RCMP checkstop. Police said the driver accelerated and drove toward officers, before swerving at the last minute and hitting some traffic cones on the highway.
Chris Carbert, 44, of Lethbridge, Christopher Lysak, 48, of Lethbridge, and Anthony Olienick, 39, of Claresholm, face charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Lysak is also charged with uttering threats.
The trio also face charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, while Lysak faces a fourth charge of uttering threats.
Six others were listed on the docket facing charges of mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose: Ursula Allred, 22, of Magrath; Evan Colenutt, 23, of Raymond; Johnson Chichow Law, 39, of Calgary; Justin Martin, 22, of Raymond; Eastin Stewart Oler, 22, of Raymond; Joanne Person, 62, of Coutts; and Janx Zaremba, 18, of Raymond.
— This story was updated on Feb. 16 to reflect additional charges.