On Nov. 13, 2021, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Wetaskiwin RCMP observed a truck with a burnt out headlight travelling in the area of Highway 2A and 36 Avenue in Wetaskiwin. The officer lost sight of the vehicle, but continued making patrols in an effort to locate the vehicle.
A short time later, the vehicle was located in the area of Township 460 and Highway 2A. Upon querying the licence plate, it was learned that the vehicle was stolen out of Red Deer, Alta. The stolen vehicle was followed from a distance by the RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) with the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service Air 1 helicopter without being stopped, and while additional resources were being deployed.
The stolen vehicle stopped near the main terminal of the Edmonton International Airport. While police were preparing to approach the vehicle, the suspect forcibly took a cab and deployed bear spray against the cab driver before fleeing in the cab. At that time, Wetaskiwin RCMP and PDS, while out of their police vehicles, attempted to apprehend the suspect.
The suspect drove towards police at a high rate of speed in the stolen cab and did not stop. No RCMP members were injured as a result.
Police followed in an attempt to stop the suspect; however, the stolen cab failed to stop.
Wetaskiwin RCMP and PDS continued to follow the stolen cab then Edmonton Police Service (EPS) took over once it entered into the City of Edmonton. EPS successfully deployed a tire deflation device and tactically brought the stolen cab to a stop. Three suspects were apprehended by EPS, taken into custody and then turned over to RCMP custody.
A 33-year-old male of Red Deer, Alta. was charged with 19 offences, including the following:
- Possession of property over $5,000
- Flight from police (x2)
- Dangerous operation
- Assault peace officer with weapon (x3)
- Robbery with a weapon
Following a judicial hearing, he was remanded into custody. His next scheduled court appearance is in Wetaskiwin Provincial court on Nov. 30, 2021.
A 39-year-old female of Red Deer, Alta. was charged with 15 offences and a 34-year-old female of Red Deer, Alta. was charged with 13 offences, including the following:
- Possession of property over $5,000
- Flight from police (x2)
- Dangerous operation
- Assault peace officer with weapon (x3)
- Robbery with a weapon
Following a judicial hearing, both females were remanded into custody. Their next scheduled court appearance is in Wetaskiwin Provincial court on Nov. 18, 2021.
"This was a situation where the actions of these suspects posed a risk to both the public and the police," says Inspector Keith Durance, Officer in Charge of Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment. "We are thankful we were able to stop further offences from occurring and successfully apprehend these individuals in partnership with the Edmonton Police Service."