Female prisoners arrested downtown after escape
Police called after women identified
Two female prisoners who escaped from the Edmonton Institution for Women were in custody Tuesday night after being arrested in downtown Edmonton.
Kelsie Laine Marie Mast, 23, and Samantha Faye Toope, 20, were recognized by a member of the public, who called police. Police located the women strolling near 104th Street and 102nd Avenue at 8:30 p.m.
Both women are violent offenders with a history of weapons offences, police said. The public had been advised not to approach them.
At around 8:40 p.m. Monday, prison officials reported the two women jumped the east fence and escaped the prison, located at 11151 178th St., according to a Tuesday news release.
Officers from the Edmonton police west division, along with assistance from the EPS Canine Unit, responded to the scene, but were unable to find the escapees.
Both women will be returned to the custody of Correctional Service Canada, police said.
Toope is serving a two-year sentence for robbery, theft, possession of property obtained by crime, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while disqualified, failure to attend court and failing to comply with conditions. She stands four-foot-11 and weighs 141 pounds.
Mast is serving a sentence of two years, nine months for trafficking in a controlled substance, theft, possession of property obtained by crime, mischief and failing to comply with conditions. She weighs 115 pounds and is five-foot-one.
Jeff Campbell, regional communications manager with Correctional Service Canada, said the agency is reviewing how the prisoners escaped. He did not provide additional details.
“Suffice to say we’re going to look at all the information we can gather,” he said.