Grande Prairie RCMP have charged convicted killer William Bicknell with a long list of crimes after his arrest near Sexsmith on March 19, 2011 after a police chase and shootout that left one RCMP officer with non-life threatening injuries.
Bicknell’s arrest followed an alleged escape from an escorted absence from the Drumheller Correctional Institution on Thursday, March 10th. He was en-route to Edmonton with one Correctional Services officer when he allegedly gained control of the vehicle.
Bicknell reportedly gained access to a large number of firearms and ammunition, before allegedly stealing a grey Chevrolet Impala and escaping.
A manhunt went on for several days for Bicknell, who was previously sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Angela Steer of Maple Ridge, B.C. in 2001.
Several days after the alleged escape, an elderly man reported that he had been held hostage by Bicknell on March 14th in Vegreville, but ordered not to contact police for several days after his release.
On the morning Bicknell was arrested, he allegedly broke into a home near Sexsmith, where he reportedly held a woman hostage for nearly 9 hours. At one point the woman was allowed to make a phone call to her son, who sensed that something was wrong. He contacted police, who arrived at the property, and found the Chevrolet Impala in the garage.
When the police arrived, the woman managed to escape, and Bicknell reportedly left the property in the Impala. Police gave chase, and say Bicknell fired at them several times during the pursuit.
At one point Bicknell reportedly stopped his car, and exchanged gunfire with the officers. It was at this time that one RCMP officer received non-life threatening injuries to the head. It is believed that Bicknell was struck by at least one bullet during the exchange.
According to RCMP, Bicknell then got back into his car and drove until he hit a ditch. It was at that point that he was arrested. Police seized a large number of firearms from the vehicle Bicknell was driving.
“These officers displayed amazing courage in their efforts to arrest Bicknell, who shot at them many times, “ said Chief Superintendent Marianne Ryan, Criminal Operations Officer of K Division RCMP said in a news release. ” Our investigation of this incident indicates that these officers performed their duties under heavy fire and put their personal safety at considerable risk to protect the citizens of Alberta from this dangerous fugitive. We are very thankful that the officers involved were not killed or seriously injured during this incident.”
Bicknell has now been charged with Break and enter a dwelling house, Unlawful confinement, Unlawful confinement with a firearm, Point a firearm, Robbery with a firearm, five counts of Discharge a firearm with intent to endanger life, Flight from peace officer, three counts of Attempt murder, two counts of Possess a prohibited weapon and six counts of Unauthorized possession of a weapon.
He is currently in hospital where he is receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained during the arrest.
Earlier this week he was charged by Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville RCMP for the alleged escape from custody and hostage taking in Vegreville. Those charges include Escape lawful custody, Theft under threat of violence, Break and Enter a dwelling house, Kidnaping with a firearm, two counts of Point a firearm and Unlawful confinement with a firearm, Kidnaping with a firearm, Unlawful confinement with a firearm, Point a firearm and Break and enter a dwelling house with intent.
Bicknell is set to appear in Vegreville court on March 28th for the charges against him in that region. A court date has not been set for the Grande Prairie charges.
Comments