A proactive traffic stop of a vehicle with a muddy license plate in Kinistino led to the apprehension of a wanted criminal.  

At approximately 10:30 a.m., an officer from Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan was conducting patrols in Kinistino, SK. They observed a vehicle with a license plate that was unreadable as it was covered in mud. They conducted a traffic stop. 

The driver was unable to produce a driver’s license or registration, and once revealed, the license plate was assigned to a different vehicle.  

Further investigation determined the driver was wanted by Carrot River RCMP for fraud, and by Prince Albert Police Service for theft of a motor vehicle. The officer located and seized bolt cutters and balaclavas as well as a large number of keys from the vehicle. The driver was arrested.  

As a result of continued investigation, 51-year-old Kelly Crawford from Medicine Hat, AB is charged with: 

- one count of operating a conveyance while prohibited,  

- one count of possessing break-in instruments; and 

- one count of possession of property obtained by crime. 

He was also arrested on his outstanding warrants. 

Crawford was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in Melfort Provincial Court on May 6, 2024.