Saskatchewan man charged after series of armed highway robberies

A 30-year-old man from Keeseekoose First Nation is facing multiple charges after an armed robbery on Highway 5 on Tuesday.

Humboldt RCMP were called to the scene near Meacham around 11:45 a.m., according to a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP.

Police say the suspect approached a truck that was pulled over on the side of the highway, assaulted the driver with a weapon, and stole the vehicle.

According to police, the driver of the truck reported non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect left his vehicle at the scene. Police later discovered that vehicle was reported stolen in Saskatoon.

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While responding to the initial scene, located about 80 kilometres east of Saskatoon, officers learned of another robbery at a business near the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 2.

The male suspect fled that scene in a truck heading southbound on Highway 2.

Officers soon found the stolen truck on Highway 2, north of Watrous, and tried initiating a traffic stop. Police say the suspect fled at a high rate of speed.

“Officers followed the vehicle, which abruptly reversed and narrowly missed hitting police vehicles several times. The vehicle also swerved to avoid a tire deflation device officers set up in an attempt to stop it,” the RCMP said.

After the truck finally came to a stop, police arrested the driver — 30-year-old Brandon Burns.

He’s charged with multiple offences, including robbery with a weapon, assault with a weapon, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Burns appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Wednesday.