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3:20 PM: Cpl. James Martin of the RCMP detachment in nearby Mayerthorpe receives a call from the bailiffs. Roszko leaves property in a white pick-up truck.
3:25 PM: Cpl. James Martin along with Cst. Peter Schiemann arrive at the Roszko farm with the purpose of keeping the peace.
Prior to 4:00 PM: Roszko calls his aunt twice looking for his mother, he sounds anxious
3:34 PM-4:28 PM: Jimmy Roszko makes five calls looking for a friend in an attempt to ditch the white pick-up truck.
Between 3:00-4:00 PM: James Roszko seen driving white pick-up on Range Road 80 by Diane Romeo and her family on who are riding horses on the side of the road. Shortly after police cars arrive from the north and south, looking for Roszko.
3:45 PM: After the RCMP provide tools to bailiffs to break open pipe gate in Roszko driveway, Cpl. James Martin and Cst. Peter Schiemann accompany bailiffs onto the farm. Two officers and two bailiffs enter the Quonset on farm. They discover a marijuana grow-op, "chopped" truck parts and a stolen generator.
4:05 PM: Cpl. James Martin advises all members to exit the Quonset and orders Cst. Julie Letal of the Mayerthorpe RCMP and Cst. Trevor Josok of Whitecourt RCMP to remain and secure the farm. Martin and Schiemann return to detachment to obtain a Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substances Act Search Warrant.
6:30 PM: Bailiffs post a copy of their seizure notice on Roszko residence and leave property.
7:30 PM: James Roszko's mother and her husband return home after being away from their home for most of the day. She receives a call from her son explaining that police were trying to repossess his truck and he needed a place to park it. He asked that she try to see if her sister would let him park it at her place. During the conversation he mentioned that he had made a will and they should pray or him. Roszko also calls his sister.
7:40 PM: RCMP Information to obtain search warrant (.pdf) received by Q.C. Robert Philp in Edmonton via fax.
7:55 PM: Warrant to Search issued to RCMP by Q.C. Robert
Philp in Edmonton.
They were authorized to search from 8:00 pm on March 02 through to 8:00
pm on March 03, 2005. Cpl. Martin contacted the RCMP Edmonton Auto Theft
Unit. It was agreed Auto Theft would attend the following day to work in
daylight conditions.
Patrols were made throughout the area in an attempt to locate Mr. Roszko
or his truck. One possible sighting turned out to be the wrong vehicle.
A "Be On The Lookout For (BOLF)" had been issued through
the RCMP Edmonton Operational Communications Center.
8:40 PM: Cpl. Martin arrived at the Roszko property with the Search Warrant, assisted by six other members.
During the search police seized:
During the residential search police also found handwritten lists itemizing
the names of RCMP members from Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt and Evansburg detachments.
Associated to each name was the call sign of the police car normally used
by each respective RCMP member and the cellular telephone numbers assigned
to each car.
Due to the quantity of disassembled vehicle parts in the quonset it became
necessary to call members of the Edmonton RCMP Auto Theft Section to complete
a detailed examination to identify which vehicle parts were stolen. Cst's
Garrett Hoogestraat and Vigor were contacted and would attend the following
morning to conduct these examinations.
9:15 PM: A call was placed to Sgt. Pinder, Mayerthorpe Detachment Commander. Sgt. Pinder was briefed on the file and developments. He then placed himself back on duty.
10:00 PM: Sgt. Pinder attended the Roszko property.
10:00 PM: James Roszko's aunt, who lives in nearby Cherhill, Alberta went to bed at 10:00 pm but was awakened approximately half-hour later by a phone call from her sister, Roszko's mother. She was asking if James Roszko could park his vehicle in her yard because people were trying to repossess it. She refused but later gave in to the request. She went to bed after waiting a short time for Roszko to arrive.
11:20 PM: Constable Anthony Gordon of the nearby Whitecourt, Alberta detachment gets a call to report to the Roszko farm. He is on the last day of a vacation.
11:30 PM: Edmonton Police Service "Green Team" attended
and assisted in the search operation. A tow truck from Mayerthorpe attended
to assist with some of the automotive seizures. Edson Forensic Identification
member attended and assisted until 2:30 am.
Throughout the evening there were several unconfirmed sightings of Roszko's
vehicle in the Mayerthorpe area. To ensure the safety of the tow truck
operator, a member was assigned to provide a police escort.
During the search, ammunition was found which was also factored into the
assessment process and decisions made respecting who would guard the property.
Sgt. Pinder and Cpl. Martin discussed security and safety precautions with
the members on site.
Cst. Gordon and Cst. Johnston were recalled to guard the scene. Cst. Johnston's
vehicle contained a loaded detachment .308 caliber rifle and Cst. Gordon's
vehicle contained a loaded detachment 12 gauge shotgun. CONTINUED
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