An avalanche of allegations cascaded down on Jamie Hammerstrom and others when police came to him over stolen vehicle suspicions.
It started in late December, but by Friday police announced they had recommended a total of 117 charges against six people, two of which are still at large, and the one with the highest personal count was Hammerstrom, with 26 charges.
"This investigation is an example of how evidence obtained through one investigation can lead to further evidence that ultimately leads investigators to more search warrants and more arrests," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "They don't always happen this way, but all investigations are led by the evidence obtained and in this case it led us to more and more doors."
According to the RCMP's version of events, the first incident happened on Dec. 23 when a rural resident called 911 to report suspicious people poking around a neighbour's home. When police attended, they claim it was Hammerstrom and another man who drove evasively away only to be encountered later and arrested.
Hammerstrom was charged that day with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000), and flight from police. He has been in police custody ever since.
As a result of clues in the evidence from that incident, police obtained a Jan. 7 search warrant for a home in the 2000 block of Quince Street, said Douglass.
"As a result of this search, four of the eight people in the residence were arrested, eight firearms were recovered and approximately seven ounces of marijuana and trafficking materials were located. Many of the firearms were fully loaded, despite a two-year-old child being in the residence. Of the eight firearms, seven have now been confirmed by investigators as stolen."
Investigators kept finding new traction for the investigation. The clues on Quince Street led to another search warrant, this one for the 200 block of South Kelly Street executed on Feb. 23.
"During this search, a .22 calibre hand gun and a homemade explosive device were located and seized without incident," Douglass said. "An adult female was arrested in relation to this search."
Police aren't disclosing if the trail has ended or if still more charges or search warrants are pending.
"Especially for our specialized units, the nature of their investigations often leads off in different directions, either whole new investigations or tie-ins to other investigations already underway," Douglass said.
"Even while in custody, persons can still influence things that go on out on the street, they can be a party to an offense and they can be held accountable for that by the justice system. We do our best to follow all the evidence directions we can."
So far, in addition to Hammerstrom, also charged in this string of allegations are Samantha Nicole Patrick (22), Jacqueline Lee Patrick (24), Cornelia Nicole Clay (19), Zachary Michael Curtis Doolittle (20), and Geofferey John Last (26).
Police are not in contact with either Samantha Nicole Patrick and Geofferey John Last. Both are now wanted by authorities.
Patrick is described as a First Nations female with black hair, brown eyes, five-foot-three and 155 pounds.
Last is described as a Caucasian male with brown hair, blue eyes, six-foot-three, and 200 pounds.
If you have any information about these wanted people or where they might be, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250) 561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES using keyword "pgtips".
