On Oct. 10, 2024, at approximately 1 p.m., the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit was conducting proactive patrols when they observed a vehicle towing a trailer displaying a stolen Alberta licence plate.
Alberta RCMP's Emergency Response Team (ERT) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but it fled south on Highway 2. In an attempt to evade arrest, a male crawled out of the sunroof at highway speeds and began throwing items at police, the individual then unhooked the trailer and fled at a high rate of speed. Officers maintained a visual on the vehicle from a safe distance to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Police were able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device on the vehicle. The vehicle entered a rural property where it was abandoned and another vehicle was stolen. The suspects continued to speed through rural roads in the Lacombe and Red Deer County, Alta., areas. A second tire deflation device was successfully deployed, which disabled the vehicle leading to the arrest of two individuals.
A 40-year-old resident of Leduc County, Alta., has been charged with the following offences.
• Fleeing from police x 2
• Possession of stolen property
• Theft of motor vehicle x2
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Unsafe storage of a firearm
• Multiple additional weapons offences
• Assault of police officer
• Mischief x2
A 35-year-old resident of Wainwright, Alta., has been charged with the following offences:
• Fleeing from police x2
• Possession of stolen property
• Theft of motor vehicle x2
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Unsafe storage of a firearm
• Multiple additional weapons offences
• Assault of police officer
• Mischief x2
Both appeared at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on Oct. 15, 2024 and were remanded into custody.
Wetaskiwin RCMP would like to thank Alberta RCMP ERT, RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Services, the Provincial Community Response Team, Ponoka RCMP, Rimbey RCMP, Blackfalds RCMP, Red Deer RCMP, Alberta Sheriffs FASST and officers from Edmonton Police Services for assisting during this incident.
If you have information regarding any illegal activity within Wetaskiwin or surrounding areas, please contact Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7267. 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. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.