RCMP catches 36-year old "prolific" offender Archibald Billard

Cpl Jolene Garland says he was traveling in excess of 170 kms/hr and failed to stop for police, continuing to drive in an erratic manner.

Deer Lake RCMP have arrested prolific offender, 36-year-old Archibald Billard, after he fled from police on foot from a house on Middle Road in Deer Lake. On Wednesday, October 23rd, Billard was driving while prohibited on the Trans-Canada Highway near St. Judes.  Cpl Jolene Garland says he was traveling in excess of 170 kms/hr and failed to stop for police, continuing to drive in an erratic manner. A second officer attempted to stop Billard in the community of St. Judes, who again failed to stop for police and was driving at high speeds and in a dangerous manner.   In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue.

Billard is currently before the court in relation to a long list of charges and is on a number of court-ordered conditions following his recent release from custody.  Garland says On October 15, 2024, Billard was released by the court in Grand Falls-Windsor in relation to fifteen charges of criminal offences that occurred on October 12, 2024, in Deer Lake and Grand Falls-Windsor. The charges include impaired operation, prohibited operation, flight from police, dangerous operation, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and breaches of probation. Following his release, Billard was ordered to report in person at Bay St. George RCMP and has failed to fulfill that condition. He now faces seven new counts of criminal offences.