Violent Car-Jacking in Two Hills Leads to Arrest of Saddle Lake Residents
Alberta RCMP have apprehended and charged a man and woman from Saddle Lake with a total of 22 criminal offences following a violent car-jacking incident that occurred in Two Hills. The arrests came after a dramatic police pursuit that spanned multiple communities and involved specialized RCMP units.
Armed Confrontation on Highway 36
According to police reports, officers responded to an armed robbery call along Highway 36 at approximately 12:40 a.m. on January 22, 2026. The victim had been sleeping in his vehicle when two individuals approached the car. One of the suspects fired a shotgun toward the back passenger window, apparently attempting to force the man from his vehicle.
The victim complied with the demands, and the two suspects fled the scene in the stolen automobile. RCMP officers quickly gathered sufficient information about the stolen vehicle and issued an alert to surrounding detachments, initiating a coordinated search effort.
Multi-Community Police Pursuit
Just over two hours after the initial incident, officers from the Bonnyville detachment spotted the stolen vehicle and called for backup to assist with tracking. Police followed the car to Cold Lake, where they attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the suspects accelerated away at high speed, prompting an escalated response.
The RCMP deployed additional units including:
- Police dog services
- Remote-Pilot Aircraft Systems unit
- Multiple backup officers from surrounding detachments
The stolen vehicle was eventually abandoned at nearby lease sites. An RCMP police dog successfully tracked, located, and apprehended one suspect, while the driver was arrested separately. The passenger remained in the stolen vehicle and was taken into custody at the scene.
Charges and Court Proceedings
John Sauve, 20, and Linda-Joyce Wood, 20, both from Saddle Lake, now face multiple serious charges. Sauve has been charged with 13 offences including:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Discharging a firearm
- Uttering threats
- Commission of an offense while wearing a mask
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
- Failure to comply with a court order
Wood faces nine charges including:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Discharging a firearm
- Uttering threats
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Commission of an offense while wearing a mask
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
During the arrest, police located and seized a modified shotgun. The suspect who attempted to flee received treatment for minor injuries resulting from a police dog bite. Both individuals have been remanded into custody and were scheduled to appear in court on Monday following their arrest.
This incident highlights the coordinated response capabilities of Alberta RCMP across multiple jurisdictions and demonstrates the serious consequences facing those who commit violent crimes in rural Alberta communities.
