Police charge five people and seize loaded shotgun and ammunition

Lethbridge Police charged five people and seized a loaded shotgun and ammunition following an incident early Thursday morning at a southside motel.

On November 14, at approximately 4:30 a.m., police responded to a report that two females, wanted on outstanding warrants and possibly in possession of weapons, were inside a motel room along the 1000 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. 

Upon police arrival, two males exited the room and entered a parked vehicle. One had a mask on his face and the other around his neck/chin. When approached by police, both fled on foot and officers observed a shotgun – which was later determined to be loaded – inside the vehicle. The masked male produced what appeared to be a handgun and was taken into custody following the deployment of sock rounds and a conducted energy weapon. The second male was arrested without further incident. It was later determined the weapon brandished by the first male was a handled lighter that resembled a handgun.

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 initially refused to exit and members of the Tactical Team were deployed. Following a short standoff with police, two females eventually exited and were taken into custody without incident. 

Warrants were subsequently obtained to search the room, along with a second room at a different motel and two vehicles. Police seized ammunition, 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 awaiting Judicial Interim Release Hearings. 

The remaining subjects were released without charges.