On June 26, 2024, at approximately 9:45 a.m., Drumheller RCMP received a complaint from a motorist advising that while driving near Highway 9 and secondary Highway 840 in Wheatland County, Alta., a black Jeep Patriot with red and blue lights flashing in the front window, maneuvered behind the complainant and followed closely with the flashing lights in an apparent attempt to stop the complainant.
The complainant slowed and then formed the opinion the vehicle was not a police vehicle and did not stop. The suspicious vehicle followed the complaint closely. While calling police, the suspect vehicle passed the complainant and fled at a high rate of speed estimated to be over 150 km/hr.
RCMP officers converged on the area and located the suspect vehicle on Highway 9 near Drumheller. The vehicle was stopped, and the lone occupant was taken into custody without incident. Police searched the suspect vehicle and discovered the vehicle was equipped with removable flashing red and blue lights and a speaker and siren system. Contraband cigarettes were also found.
A 43-year-old individual, a resident of Drumheller, was charged with:
- Use equipment to impersonate a police officer;
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Breach of probation;
- Stunting;
- Drive motor vehicle with unlawful flashing lamps; and
- Possession of contraband cigarettes.
The individual was released from custody on a $500 Promise to Pay Release Order following a judicial interim release hearing and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on July 12, 2024, to answer to the charges.
If you have any information regarding this matter, please contact Drumheller RCMP at 403.823.7590, call 911, or contact your local Police Service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.