Labrador District RCMP arrests pair following police operation in Cartwright

November 6, 2026 - Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

Content

Police in Labrador arrested 36-year-old Samuel (Craig) Blake and 24-year-old Petapen Hurley during a police operation in the community of Cartwright Thursday afternoon. Both are expected to appear in court on Friday. 

On November 3, officers with the Labrador District General Investigation Section (GIS) attempted a proactive traffic stop in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, as the passenger, 24-year-old Petapen Hurley, was known to be the subject of an active arrest warrant. The driver, 36-year-old Samuel (Craig) Blake, failed to comply and fled from police. 

Police in Happy Valley-Goose Bay began patrols for Blake and Hurley, and the vehicle they were driving. The following day, an officer with the Labrador District Police Dog Service located the pair at a local business, and Blake attempted to strike the police vehicle before fleeing the scene. 

A warrant was issued for Blake’s arrest, and with the assistance of the public, Labrador District GIS tracked the vehicle and the suspects to Cartwright. 

On Thursday afternoon, officers from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Sheshatshiu, Forteau, Mary’s Harbour and Cartwright RCMP detachments travelled to the community with Labrador District GIS, Police Dog Services and the RCMP Emergency Response Team. 

Police located Blake and Hurley with the vehicle, and they were taken into custody without incident. Both were transported back to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and held at the detachment overnight. 

Blake is charged with:

• Flight from police – two counts
• Theft under $5,000
• Attempt to injure a law enforcement animal 
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle – two counts
• Assault on police officer with a weapon
• Failure to comply with release order – two counts
• Failure to comply with probation order 

Hurley faces charges of failure to comply with a release order (two counts) and failure to comply with a probation order. 

Both are expected to appear in Happy Valley-Goose Bay provincial court on Friday, November 6. 

The RCMP Labrador District GIS extends its thanks to the community of Cartwright for their cooperation with this investigation and the local police operation. 

Contacts