BREAKING: Trail fugitive captured by Calgary Police Fugitive Unit
By Kyra Hoggan
A Trail fugitive is back in police custody after a collaborative effort between BC and Alberta police resulted in him being arrested in Calgary March 30, acccording to Trail RCMP Cpl. Mike Wicentowich.
An extensive manhunt, including massive social media outreach was launched to find Joel Andrew Hutchinson, 30, after he failed to appear in in Rossland court in April of 2015. He’s now facing a laundry list of firearms-related charges as well as two breach of undertaking warrants.
“All the charges stem from the sudden death of 17-year-old Aysia Peters on July 20, 2014 at 275 Faulkner Rd., Fruitvale,” Wicentowich said, adding Hutchinson is not being charged with her death, but all the charges are the result of that event, including six counts of possession of firearms, three counts of careless use of a firearm, and two counts of possessing a firearm without a license.
Peters’ father, Mike Walsh, may well have been instrumental in helping police capture the man as well, after his heartfelt social media posts asking for help garnered almost 600,000 shares on Facebook and countless tips to police.
Hutchinson appeared in Nelson court April 5, and will appear in court again, this time in Rossland, for a bail hearing on June 9.
Calgary Police nabbed Hutchinson with the help of the Calgary Fugitive Unit and three ERT (Emergency Response Teams), and Wicentowich said he’s very much impressed with their efforts.
“They were excellent partners – they actually worked really hard at this,” Wicentowich said. “It was hard to find him, he was hiding out. They put a lot of time and effort into this – we were very fortunate to have their assistance. Hopefully now there will be some justice for Mike Walsh and Aysia’s Mom.”
