Escaped inmate arrested; one still at large in The Pas

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This article was published 09/05/2023 (1059 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Pas has been on edge as RCMP officers flood the area in a search for a group of inmates who escaped Monday evening from the town’s provincial jail.

Two of the three missing prisoners have been located and arrested, RCMP spokesman Sgt. Paul Manaigre said Tuesday.

Kelly John Castel, 21, was still at large, as of Tuesday afternoon. He is “considered dangerous and a risk to the public,” police said.

Castel is pending on charges of robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, court records show, as well as charges related to the jail break.

Mounties were called at about 6:45 p.m. Monday, after three inmates escaped from The Pas Correctional Centre and fled on foot.

One of the men, whose name hasn’t been released, was found and arrested at about 8:05 p.m.

Manaigre said RCMP arrested a second escapee — Xander William Tardiff, 19 — at a home in The Pas on Tuesday, after local Mounties got a tip he had holed up in the residence.

“They were able to track it via phone number and they found the place.”

Tardiff was being held on Court of King’s Bench charges of second-degree murder and discharging a firearm, in connection with a crime committed in Flin Flon on Jan. 1, 2022, court records show.

On Tuesday, he was charged with intent and escaping lawful custody.

Manaigre said RCMP have deployed all available resources in the North to the area, including traffic officers from surrounding areas to assist with road blocks, emergency response police, crime reduction officers, and aerial drones.

RCMP have asked anyone with information to call 204-627-6200. Police advised residents in The Pas and Flin Flon to lock their doors and windows, and to report anything suspicious.

On Monday night, Manitoba RCMP sent an Alert Ready message to residents of The Pas, Flin Flon and surrounding areas. Saskatchewan RCMP sent a similar Sask Alert message to residents of Creighton and nearby areas.

It was believed Tardiff “might attempt to harm individuals known to him,” RCMP said.

On Tuesday, Manaigre said there have been no reported injuries related to the escape, but such events are of concern.

“You’ve got, basically, someone who’s alleged to have committed a murder is back out there — depending on what his end game is, it could potentially put other people at risk,” the spokesman said.

“It would appear with the pressure, the amount of resources in the area, their primary goal was to try to get away and hide out… Word got around the community very quickly.”

Castel was convicted in January 2022 for unlawfully escaping from RCMP officers and provincial sheriffs in Pukatawagan in September 2021.

RCMP had taken Castel into custody for other charges, when he managed to flee officers and Sheriff’s Officers as he was being taken to a plane to be flown from the remote community.

He ran into the woods north of the local airstrip Sept. 16. He was eventually found Sept. 22, sleeping at his mother’s house.

Castel pleaded guilty to that offence and was sentenced to 76 days going forward and a year of supervised probation.

The Pas Mayor Andre Murphy said RCMP have been in communication with the town’s administration as community members keep watch.

“They’re on high alert. They’re looking after each other, making sure if they see anything suspicious, they’re passing it on to the RCMP and the right authorities, and also trusting the RCMP’s direction,” said Murphy.

“People are nervous, obviously, but I also think they have confidence in the local authorities to deal with the situation.”

Murphy said local businesses are operating as normally as possible, while area schools remained open but with doors locked and no outdoor activities sanctioned.

“The RCMP are doing a great job, we appreciate all their efforts — and hopefully we can bring this thing to a close here sooner rather than later,” the mayor said.

erik.pindera@winnipegfreepress.com

Twitter: @erik_pindera