Numerous charges laid against 8 alleged gang members after year-long police investigation

A year-long investigation into a Saskatchewan-based street gang has resulted in charges laid against eight individuals with police still searching for one more.

The Regina Police Service (RPS) said a number of people who were members of or associated with a local street gang were arrested and charged last week with criminal organization offences, attempted murder, uttering threats and extortion.

Ramie Bellegarde is facing eight charges, including three counts of Attempt Murder and Instructing Commission of Offence for Criminal Organization.

“We don’t lay criminal organization charges very often,” RPS Superintendent Corey Zaharuk said.

Zaharuk, who oversees the Investigative Services Division, said police waited until Tuesday morning to announce the arrests to allow officers time to complete the final steps of the investigation.

“As soon as we could gather enough evidence to proceed with charges, we arrested people to ensure public safety,” Zaharuk said.

“Members of the Regina Police Service have worked incredibly hard to bring charges forward in these matters and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”

Police said they would not name the street gang because doing so might bring the gang notoriety.

“Gangs get their power by intimidating others,” Zaharuk said, also noting the name of the gang to be “racially disparaging.”

Zaharuk said the investigation revealed a hierarchy within the street gang, where police say orders were given and carried out pertaining to drug trafficking, usage and possession of illegal guns, extortion, assaults and other offences.

Members of the organization were also known to wear certain clothing, colours, tattoos and other symbols to represent their membership to the gang.

“They have been a group we have been focusing on for some time and many of their members have recently been charged with numerous offences.”

Three violent incidents linked to street gang: RPS

RPS said the street gang was in operation from November 2018 to March 2020.

Zaharuk said police have linked the street gang to involvement in three incidents of attempted murder in 2019.

The incidents targeted two victims in three attacks, including a home invasion and two drive-by shootings.

On July 7, 2019, Taylor Keshane, Kelly Lonethunder and Elizabeth Pascal were alleged to have shot a female victim inside a home on Ottawa Street during a home invasion.

“Three people armed with a firearm broke into the home and shot the woman twice for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in association with a criminal organization,” Zaharuk said.

Earlier this year, Kershane, Lonethunder and Pascal were charged in the incident.

Police responded to the Regina General Hospital after receiving reports that a 34-year-old man had been the victim of a drive-by shooting. The man survived but sustained substantial injuries.

Thomas Stevenson and Glen Sutherland were charged with attempt to commit murder in February of 2020. Stevenson was found not guilty after a trial in April of 2023.

The same male victim was shot again on Oct. 31, 2019, again sustaining major injuries after the vehicle he was travelling in was met by another vehicle. RPS charged Kershane and James Papequash in relation to the incident one month later. A 17-year-old youth was also charged in relation to the offence.

Charges were brought against Bellegarde on June 11 for his alleged involvement in all three 2019 incidents.

According to police, all individuals charged and victimized in the attacks were associated with or members of the street gang.

More details on the incidents and the organization are expected to be revealed through the court process.

Gang-related crime daily issue in Saskatchewan

Zaharuk said he cannot estimate the number of members and associates connected to the gang, but said gang-related incidents are a daily occurrence for RPS.

“We’re confident that these arrests have improved public safety and definitely have reduced the number of individuals from this street gang on our streets,” Zaharuk said.

Police face a number of challenges in dealing with street gang activity, drug trafficking and substance abuse.

In 2019, RPS documented 173 violent firearm offences and seized 460 guns.

“Sixty-three people were shot,” Zaharuk said. “Many of those people and most of those matters were related to two things: street gang activity or the drug trade.”

So far this year, RPS has seen a 20 per cent reduction in firearms offences compared to the same time last year.

Community collaboration helped investigation

“We recognize that enforcement alone is not the sole answer here,” Zaharuk said.

RPS worked collaboratively with a number of partners in the investigation, including emergency services, intelligence services, technology, gun and forensic experts and public safety agencies in other parts of the province.

Police also said a number of former gang members assisted in the investigation.

“Street gang investigators continue to work with numerous courageous and concerned people in the community who have either left the street gangs or have left street gangs and are working towards disassociating themselves or supporting others to do so,” Zaharuk said.

The superintendent commended the work of the Street Gang Unit throughout the investigation.

“They’re not just an enforcement unit,” Zaharuk said. “They really work to support those who are associated or directly impacted by street gang activity. They have lots of contacts out in the community and oftentimes are very much relied upon by those who are in serious trouble or are trying to get away from the street gang.

“It’s our service’s vision to work together to keep Regina safe.”