Saskatchewan suspects on Top 25 list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives

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For the first time, a suspect wanted by Regina police has made a list of Canada’s 25 most wanted fugitives.

The updated list, which was announced Tuesday morning, now contains two suspects wanted in Saskatchewan.

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Daniel “Juma” Drie Atem, wanted for murder by the Regina Police Service (RPS), joins Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron, also wanted for murder by the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), on the list at spots 14 and 13, respectively.

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The reward for information leading to the arrest of some of the 25 suspects could be large, according to information shared during a splashy news conference held at Toronto Police Service headquarters. Some as large as $100,000.

The list and the reward amounts are published by what’s known as the BOLO program. Its website states it seeks to support police in communications regarding Canada’s most wanted fugitives. BOLO is an acronym for “be on the lookout.”

The website indicates a reward of “up to $50,000” for information about Ouellet-Gendron. However, it does not indicate any reward as being available for information on Atem.

It is not yet clear why rewards for information appear to be only offered in relation to some suspects on the list. However, the RPS is scheduled to hold its own news conference Tuesday afternoon, at which time clarity will be sought by the Leader-Post.

At the outset of the Toronto conference, a number of men stood behind a table, on top of which sat a shape covered by a cloth.

“One of the most common things I’ve heard about BOLO rewards over the years is ‘Show me the money,’ ” said Max Langlois, executive director of the BOLO program.

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The cloth was pulled back to reveal a pile of what appeared to be Canadian currency — “clean cash,” as Langlois put it.

“Today, we show you the money. One million dollars in rewards. One million dollars.”

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the BOLO program has “made communities safer” across the country by offering up a “sizeable reward” and by finding ways to grab public attention.

“If you see one of the individuals wanted in this campaign — if you even think you might know where they are, call Crime Stoppers, call us, call 911.”

“To all the suspects featured in the Top 25 list, today your world gets smaller.”

Atem is wanted for first-degree murder in a July 29, 2023 homicide that occurred on the 2100 block of Regina’s Broad Street.

He was wanted alongside Shedrek Samuel, who turned himself in to B.C. RCMP in February.

Atem is described as 6-foot-3, roughly 140 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, a dark complexion and thin build.

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Ouellet-Gendron is charged with first-degree murder in the May 19, 2022 death of Brandon Baxandall, 29, whose body was found behind an apartment building in the 700 block of Saskatoon’s Melrose Avenue.

He is described as 5-foot-6, weighing around 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is said to have multiple tattoos, including a Mayan statue on his right hand, a black rose on his left wrist and a gorilla on his upper torso.

Ouellet-Gendron has previously been on the BOLO Top 25 list.

More to come …

bharder@postmedia.com

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