Champion, Alberta – The Vulcan RCMP have one male in custody following a series of events which started with a stolen snowmobile report and ended following a chase, involving Calgary Police Service – HAWCS and RCMP Police Dog Services.
At 5:02 a.m. this morning, the RCMP responded to a rural property where a homeowner reported a snowmobile stolen. It was seen being towed on a trailer, behind a truck heading towards Highway 529. An update was provided to the responding RCMP member, and the truck was located and pulled over shortly after 6:00 a.m..
The RCMP arrested the male driver of the truck, resulting in a physical confrontation. The suspect male was able to get away, and fled in the truck, nearly running over the involved police officer.
A pursuit was engaged and RCMP from High River and Okotoks Detachments attended and assisted the Vulcan RCMP member in the pursuit. This initial pursuit ended when the fleeing truck got stuck in a snow covered field on a property. The suspect driver left the truck and fled on the stolen snowmobile.
Almost immediately, the suspect driver stopped the snowmobile to collect a Chocolate Lab dog which was in the truck. The male suspect, with the dog, then took off on the snowmobile. Turner Valley RCMP members were deployed to attend with snowmobiles.
Calgary Police Service HAWCS assisted in locating the snowmobile stuck in a stand of trees, approximately six kilometres away from where the truck and trailer were abandoned. RCMP Police Dog Services were on scene and assisted with tracking and securing the male, along with the Vulcan RCMP.
The male was arrested and taken into custody. He suffered slight injuries as a result of colliding with a tree while on the snowmobile and was taken to the hospital. The 34-year-old male remains in custody pending a bail hearing. He cannot be named as charges have not been sworn. He will be facing 18 new charges as a result of this incident including assault police officer, flight from police, dangerous driving et al.
At the time of his arrest, he was wanted on 29 outstanding warrants from various detachments.
The police officer involved in the physical confrontation was not injured and was able to continue actively investigating this occurrence.
The Chocolate Lab was uninjured and returned by the RCMP to a family member, for safekeeping.
Investigation determined that both the truck and the trailer had earlier been reported stolen; the truck was stolen from Okotoks, the trailer from Taber and the license plate stolen from Creston, BC.
“This incident highlights the unpredictability of offenders” says Sergeant Troy Dobson, Detachment Commander of Vulcan Detachment. “We’re thankful that the citizens reported this crime to us, and allowed us to do the job we’re trained to do. The collaboration with Calgary Police Service was also instrumental in the positive outcome today.”
It is the RCMP’s continued mandate to apprehend repeat offenders and to partner with citizens to ensure the safety of the communities we serve.