RCMP Alert: Armed Robbery Investigation in Maskwacis, Alberta

Community Safety Alert Overview

On May 17, 2026, around 1:00 p.m., an armed robbery took place in Montana First Nation, Alberta. According to Maskwacis RCMP, two individuals who knew the victim allegedly used a rifle while robbing a man of his liquor. The victim was not physically injured, and the suspects fled the area in a blue SUV.

Following the investigation, officers identified both suspects, who are residents of Maskwacis. One suspect, a 38-year-old individual, has been arrested and charged. An arrest warrant has been issued for the second suspect, Jesse Lee Roasting, 36, described by police as a prolific offender. Roasting is believed to be armed, and the public is urged to report any information on his whereabouts immediately to police.

Official RCMP Incident Details

Maskwacis RCMP report that the robbery involved a rifle that was handled during the incident, while the suspects took the victim’s liquor and left in a blue SUV. The victim escaped without physical harm.

The investigation identified two suspects, both from Maskwacis. The 38-year-old suspect was arrested and has been charged with:

• Robbery with a firearm
• Possession of a firearm when prohibited
• Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• Failure to comply with a release order (three counts)

This accused was brought before a Justice of the Peace and has been remanded into custody, with a scheduled appearance at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on May 19, 2026.

The second suspect, Jesse Lee Roasting (36), also of Maskwacis, has been charged in relation to the same incident. A warrant for his arrest remains active. The charges against him include:

• Robbery with a firearm
• Possession of a firearm while prohibited (three counts)
• Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• Possession of a firearm knowing the possession is unauthorized

Public Assistance Requested – Help Locate Wanted Suspect

CrimeCanada.ca is calling on residents of Maskwacis, Montana First Nation, and surrounding Alberta communities to assist police in safely locating Jesse Lee Roasting. He is considered to be armed, and members of the public should not approach him directly.

If you have any information about his location or about this investigation, contact:

• Maskwacis RCMP: 780-585-3767
• Alberta RCMP non-emergency line (any RCMP jurisdiction in Alberta): 310-RCMP (7267)

To provide information anonymously, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit a tip online via the P3 Tips website, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Residents are also encouraged to use official tools such as the Alberta RCMP app (Apple and Google Play) for online crime reporting and access to news and information from RCMP detachments across the province.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

This incident highlights the serious risks associated with firearms being used in street-level robberies, even when there is only one victim and the motive appears limited to property theft. Similar firearm-related incidents can be seen across Canada, including in smaller or more remote communities such as those reflected in our Petawawa, Ontario crime statistics and safety data and other regional profiles. While each community is unique, patterns of weapons offences, breaches of release conditions, and repeat offending are common safety concerns.

From a CrimeCanada.ca perspective, we encourage residents in Alberta to remain alert around vehicles and individuals displaying weapons or threatening behaviour. If you witness a crime in progress, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location and calling 911. For suspicious activity that is not an emergency, use the non-emergency RCMP line at 310-RCMP (7267). Community safety improves significantly when people report firearms offences, breaches of conditions, and repeat criminal activity early, giving police the information they need to intervene before violence escalates.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.