On July 4, 2024, at 11:55 a.m., RCMP were asked to assist the Edmonton Police Service Targeted Response to Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) Team who located a suspicious Mazda sedan leaving the area where a stolen truck was last seen in Beaver County.
After an initial traffic stop was attempted, the vehicle fled the area. RCMP officers from Tofield, Fort Saskatchewan, and Strathcona County were dispatched to the area and with coordination by the RCMP Real Time Operations Centre and EPS Air 1, a tire deflation device was deployed which successfully disabled the vehicle. The lone occupant fled on foot and attempted to steal a vehicle from a local farm yard; however, was quickly arrested by police.
The suspect has been identified as a 31-year-old individual, a serving federal prisoner who recently escaped from the Stan Daniels Healing Centre in June.
The individual has been additionally charged with:
- Flight from peace officer;
- Carrying a concealed weapon;
- Possession of a controlled substance;
- Illegal possession of government documents (x3);
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited.
The individual has been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for July 15, 2024, at the Albert Court of Justice in Vegreville.
"The effective coordination of assets between the RCMP Detachments as well as Edmonton Police Service was instrumental in effectively and safely arresting this wanted escapee," says Cpl. Kenneth Petruik Acting Commander Tofield Detachment. "We are pleased to have this offender who was committing crime in our area back in jail."