Five people have been arrested following what the Lethbridge Police Service described as a "high-risk incident." (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Five in Lethbridge charged following weapons incident

Nov 15, 2024 | 9:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has laid charges against a group of people after what it called a “high-risk incident.”

Officers were called to a motel room on the 1000 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

They had been informed that two women, who were wanted on warrants, were inside a room and potentially had weapons.

Upon the arrival of police, they say two men exited the motel room and entered a parked vehicle.

The two men allegedly fled from police and the officers claim one of the men had a loaded shotgun in the vehicle.

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One suspect, who was wearing a mask, reportedly had a lighter that resembled a handgun. He was hit with sock rounds and a taser and was taken into custody.

The second man was arrested without incident.

LPS says in a media release, “Following loud hails directing additional occupants to exit the room, two females and a male surrendered to police and were taken into custody without incident.”

The remaining two occupants in the motel room reportedly refused to leave. Following a short standoff with police, two women exited and were taken into custody.

Police searched the room and claimed to have seized ammo, cell phones, a knife, and small quantities of methamphetamine.

Joel Robert Dragland, 35, of Lethbridge, is charged with disguised with intent, careless use/storage of a firearm, knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a firearm when prohibited, failure to comply with probation order, failure to comply with a release order and resisting arrest.

Kyle Dwight Miller, 34, of Lethbridge, is charged with disguised with intent, careless use/storage of a firearm, knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and resisting arrest.

Layla Grace Whelan, 36, of Lethbridge, who was the subject of a wanted person news release earlier this week, is charged with resisting arrest and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

Rikki Marie Peters, 30, of Lethbridge, is charged with resisting arrest.

Crystal Dawn Marie Quinton, 35, of Lethbridge, is charged with failing to comply with a release order.

The accused all remain in custody and are awaiting bail hearings. The remaining suspects were released without charges.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Police investigating ‘high-risk’ incident

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