Crime

Arrests made in Quesnel carjacking

Jul 31, 2023 | 8:02 AM

QUESNEL —Quesnel RCMP have arrested two people in connection with a recent carjacking and gunpoint robbery.

It occurred during the early morning hours of July 27 at the 7-11 on Maple Drive.

That morning, two youths were robbed at gunpoint. The suspects then stole their vehicle, leading RCMP on a pursuit until it was abandoned over safety concerns on Highway 97 near Kersley.

The police investigation identified Travis Paul (35 years old) and Desarae Hiebert (30 years old) as suspects.

On July 28, 2023 the Cariboo-Chilcotin Crime Reduction Unit (C-CRU) located the victim’s stolen Chevrolet Malibu abandoned in Williams Lake. During patrols, C-CRU located Paul and Hiebert and arrested them without incident. During the search of the accused, the police seized a replica handgun.

Bail hearings were held and Travis Paul has been charged with eight offences including robbery, theft of motor vehicle, uttering threats, wearing a disguised face to commit an indictable offence, flight from police, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order. Paul was remanded in custody with his next court appearance on August 3, 2023.

Desarae Hiebert has been charged with eight offences including robbery, theft of motor vehicle, uttering threats, and wearing a disguised face while committing an indictable offence. Hiebert was remanded into custody with a next court appearance on July 31, 2023.

Both Paul and Hiebert are well known to the Quesnel RCMP.