Escaped Prisoner Recaptured

Escaped Prisoner Recaptured

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 14:55

 

 

The prisoner who escaped from custody while making a court appearance in Meadow Lake last Monday has been apprehended.

 

The RCMP say 28-year-old Don Curtis Cheenanow was taken into custody without incident late Saturday night in Loon Lake.

 

Cheenanow, who has ties to both the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation near Loon Lake, and the Big Island Cree Territory, was on remand when he escaped from the courthouse with the help of other prisoners.

 

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Carole Raymond says the Mounties couldn’t have recaptured Cheenanow without significant help from the public, who provided police with tips about his location.

 

“The (RCMP) members literally went door-to-door, making numerous inquiries in the community, and were very successful in apprehending him,” Raymond says.

 

Raymond says the Mounties are relieved that Cheenanow back in custody, especially since he was considered a danger to the public.

 

She notes that the prisoners who helped Cheenanow escape may be facing charges.

 

Cheenanow will be making his next court appearance on Oct. 21.