US EditionSuspect in police custody after allegedly damaging 5 police vehicles in Bonnyville
- On Saturday evening, a 62-year-old Bonnyville man allegedly stole a trackhoe and used it to damage five police vehicles at the local RCMP detachment northeast of Edmonton.
- The suspect reportedly picked up boulders and dumped them in front of the detachment's prisoner bay to hinder police response before driving the stolen trackhoe through a business fence en route to the station.
- After smashing the five parked RCMP vehicles and dumping boulders, the man fled on foot, prompting a multi-agency search using police dogs, drones, and officers from surrounding areas to locate him northwest of the detachment.
- Authorities arrested David Merko, who resisted arrest and was bitten by a police dog, and charged him with 13 offenses including dangerous driving, mischief, break and enter, and uttering threats; he awaits a court appearance Tuesday.
- The damaged police vehicles, estimated at $430,000, are inoperable and being replaced, while RCMP commanders note increased violence against officers and express concern over negative social media reactions to the incident.
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Bonnyville RCMP targeted by suspect driving a trackhoe
From Bonnyville RCMP On May 3, 2025, at approximately 6:55 p.m., a male suspect drove a stolen trackhoe into the parking lot of the Bonnyville RCMP. The suspect dumped several boulders in front of the prisoner bay and then proceeded to damage 5 police vehicles, which were parked in the lot. The suspect then fled on foot. Bonnyville RCMP, Police Dog Services and RPAS (drone), searched for the suspect and he was quickly located in a tree line just…
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left, 38% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 38% of the sources are Center
38% Center
L 38%
C 38%
R 25%
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