Found: Woman located after armed carjacking in North Battleford

Saskatchewan RCMP just released they have “located Leanna Frenchman safe at a residence on St. Laurent Drive in North Battleford,” at around 1:25 p.m. on Friday.

Earlier on Feb. 14, RCMP officers were searching for a missing woman after an armed carjacking in North Battleford, and police are treating the case as a kidnapping.

According to police, at around 5 a.m. on Friday a man armed with a gun approached a car with two women inside on Railway Avenue East. The man threatened the women and stole the vehicle, and the RCMP said one of the women – 33-year-old Leanna Frenchman – was still inside.

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“Based on initial investigation and the report made, Battlefords RCMP has not located Leanna and therefore are considering her missing,” the RCMP said in an earlier statement.

The other woman who was inside the car managed to get out before it was stolen, and the RCMP said she was unhurt.

“Initial investigation indicates Leanna Frenchman may be in the presence of an adult male, who was reportedly armed,” the RCMP said.

“Initial investigation has determined Leanne and the adult male are not known to one another. It is unknown where they are travelling to, but they were last seen driving in the City of North Battleford in a red 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix with Saskatchewan license plate 186 NSA.”

Police said the Pontiac was found on St. Laurent Drive in North Battleford at around 10:30 a.m.

“The male suspect and Leanna Frenchman were not located with the vehicle,” the RCMP said in a statement.

The suspect was described as a man with a round-shaped face, last seen wearing a baggy red sweater and jeans.

Anyone who has any information that might help the investigation, was urged to contact the RCMP or make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers.

Police also asked business owners or residents who witnessed any suspicious activity “or captured home surveillance video in the area of St. Laurent Drive in North Battleford this morning” to get in touch with police.

“We are especially interested if your device captured the red Pontiac Grand Prix sometime this morning,” the RCMP said.