On April 22, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a Saskatchewan RCMP North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT) officer approached an adult male cyclist riding without a helmet, a contravention of municipal bylaw.
While speaking with the officer, the adult male produced two knives from his pocket, handed them to the officer and attempted to flee. The officer prevented the adult male from fleeing. The adult male then began assaulting and threatening the officer. The adult male continued to resist as the officer made efforts to arrest him. As the adult male was resisting, a second adult male approached and attempted to take items belonging to the first adult male.
Additional officers arrived, the first adult male and second adult male were both arrested.
Further investigation determined the first adult male was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for violating his parole and was also in possession of approximately 19 grams of methamphetamine, a third knife and other drug trafficking paraphernalia.
As a result of investigation, 28-year-old Riley Bjerkness from North Battleford is charged with:
- one count, assault peace officer, Section 270(2), Criminal Code;
- one count, resist/obstruct peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code;
- one count, uttering threats against a person, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code;
- one count, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code; and
- one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Riley Bjerkness appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on April 23, 2025 (Information #90559818).
The second adult male, 43-year-old Brendan Isaacs of North Battleford, is charged with two counts, resist/obstruct peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code. Brendan Isaacs is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on June 2, 2025 (Information #90559819).
