Police say Joseph “Joey” Desjarlais, from Fishing Lake First Nation, is dead following a police chase and gunfire on Tuesday. (Saskatchewan RCMP/Submitted)

By Cam Lee

SIRT investigation

Suspect in string of robberies dies after police pursuit; SIRT to investigate

Sep 25, 2024 | 9:06 AM

The suspect wanted in connection with four local robberies is dead.

RCMP received a report that 34-year-old Joseph “Joey” Desjarlais was in the Fishing Lake First Nation area.

Several RCMP units began searching for Desjarlais, and officers spotted a speeding van at around 1 pm Tuesday. They activated their emergency lights and tried to stop the van, but it kept going.

Soon after, RCMP received a report that Desjarlais stole a van from a school on the First Nation, and that was the van they saw. He was reported to be armed.

Officers pursued the van through roads in rural areas, and RCMP say they monitored the pursuit for public safety risk. They were prepared to send out a dangerous person alert if deemed necessary.

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The van entered a field at around 1:45 pm and firearms were discharged. The van continued travelling and came to a stop, when additional shots were observed. The lone occupant was found injured inside and was declared dead at the scene.

The driver was identified as Joseph “Joey” Desjarlais, and his family has been notified.

Saskatchewan RCMP notified the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), who will investigate the RCMP’s interactions with Desjarlais and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Desjarlais was a suspect in robberies in the RM of Spalding, Wadena, Foam Lake, and Yorkton.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK