A man is facing 19 charges after allegedly getting out of his handcuffs before fleeing from the Biggar RCMP, pointing a firearm at someone, and using a vehicle as a weapon against three other people.
Jordy Leschinski, 20, was arraigned in North Battleford Provincial Court April 20 and the Crown opposed his release.
The Crown is proceeding by indictment rather than summary conviction, which is the more serious offence and means the potential of more jail time if convicted.
The court heard today that after being arrested on April 18, Leschinski allegedly got out of his handcuffs, escaped from the Biggar RCMP and fled.
According to Biggar RCMP, on April 18, 2021, shortly before 6 p.m. Biggar RCMP detachment received a call from a complainant advising that a man had pointed a firearm at another person. The caller advised this occurred in the Biggar area. The caller advised police that the man then left the location with a female youth in his vehicle. All three persons were known to each other.
Biggar RCMP officers responded and located the suspect’s vehicle on Highway 14 shortly after 7 p.m. with the man and youth inside. The man exited the vehicle and became a hazard to motorists travelling on Highway 14. Officers blocked traffic to ensure the safety of the suspect and passing motorists while arresting him. After resisting arrest the suspect was transported to Biggar Hospital for treatment of minor self-inflicted injuries.
Biggar RCMP located a firearm and ammunition in his vehicle.
At 8:30 p.m. on April 18, 2021 the suspect was at the Biggar hospital for treatment when before 9 p.m., he escaped custody and left the hospital.
The RCMP Police Dog Services, additional RCMP officers from the Biggar detachment, Rosetown detachment, Unity detachment, Saskatoon detachment, and Warman detachments were called in to assist in locating the suspect, along with air service support from the City of Saskatoon Police Services.
The investigation revealed that following his escape the suspect allegedly stole a vehicle from a residence in Biggar that was known to him, and travelled out of town. Just after midnight on April 19, 2021, the suspect was located near Landis. He was arrested and taken into police custody without further incident or injury.
Leschinski is charged with escaping from lawful custody, pointing a firearm at an individual, theft of a Winchester, possession of a Winchester without a license, having a loaded weapon in the back seat of his vehicle, having a weapon dangerous to the public, being in a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing it was obtained under an offence, possession of a firearm dangerous to the public, handling a firearm in a careless manner, theft of a vehicle, three counts of assault with a weapon (a motor vehicle), driving dangerous to the public, two counts of failing to comply with a no contact order, failing to keep the peace, and failing to comply with an order not to possess firearms and ammunition.
Legal aide lawyer Andrew Lyster consented to remand while he gets further disclosure from the Crown.
A show cause hearing is scheduled for April 22 in North Battleford Provincial Court to determine if Leschinski will be released on bail.
Story updated April 20 at 2 p.m. to reflect details from RCMP media release.
