Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 14/01) - It has been nearly three weeks since a man wanted by police and charged with attempted murder fled into the bush west of the city.

Ronald Roy Villebrun: He's made no attempts to contact his family

Police, the man's family and Yellowknife's volunteer search and rescue organization have all tried, but none have been able to find Ronald Roy Villebrun.

"We went out for a full day and did a large ground search" on Sept. 9, said SAR president Chris John.

"We felt we would search the area for the benefit of the family and Villebrun."

Nearly 10 volunteers, joined by about 10 to 12 family members, conducted a grid search of a few square kilometres near the area Villebrun's truck was found.

The type of search was not common for the volunteer group as they are not used to looking for someone who may not want to be found, John said.

But after talking with Villebrun's family, the volunteer searchers believed he likely was not dangerous.

"If this was a lost little girl it would be different," John said. "This is a man, not believed to be threatening, but an odd situation for everyone."

After a nine-hour search and no trace of Villebrun, John is certain he is no longer in the wooded area west of town.

He added that what he finds surprising is that Villebrun has made no attempts to contact his family.

Police say a Canada-wide warrant is still in effect and want people across the North to be on the look-out for any sign of the 36-year-old, six-foot-two-inch, 200-pound man.

"Even with the incident in the U.S. on (Sept. 11) our members still followed up on tips as they came in," said Sgt. Al McCambridge.

McCambridge explained that the search for Villebrun, who is alleged to have attacked his ex-girlfriend with an axe on Aug. 26, has been expanded to include more area based on tips they received.

Initially, an infrared equipped helicopter, officers on foot and at least one sniffing dog swept the 15-kilometre area along the road where Villebrun abandoned his truck.

"We are not getting as many as we would have hoped but we are getting tips on a daily and weekly basis," McCambridge said. "They are all being followed up."

Police are searching in the Yellowknife area although officers are no longer scouring the bush 20 kilometres west and "we are not restricted to our focus," McCambridge said.

They are following up on tips and working with other detachments, especially Fort Smith, where Villebrun has lived.