INNISFAIL - Local Mounties played an important policing role this month by pursuing and arresting a desperate fleeing teen suspect who allegedly stole a SUV in Red Deer.
The late evening and early morning incident on April 3 and 4 involved Mounties from the Red Deer, Blackfalds and Innisfail detachments.
"Property crimes and the risks associated with attempting to stop stolen vehicles are everyone's concern, and we're grateful for the close collaboration we enjoy with our neighbouring detachments," said Red Deer city RCMP Insp. Gerald Grobmeier. "That continuing support and sharing of intelligence is crucial to our success in combatting property crimes."
Red Deer city RCMP Cpl. Karyn Kay said Mounties were patrolling a city industrial area shortly after 11:30 p.m. on April 4 when police officers located a stolen GMC Acadia and followed that up with a traffic stop.
Kay said the SUV driver refused to stop for police, who then successfully laid a spike belt. The suspect SUV continued to drive with a flattened tire and police did not pursue it. However, the stolen vehicle was located again at the south end of the city. Kay said the vehicle then made its way onto the C & E Trail heading toward Innisfail.
As the stolen vehicle left the city limits, Blackfalds and Innisfail RCMP officers joined Red Deer members. Kay said Innisfail RCMP officers laid down a second spike belt, which flattened two more tires on the vehicle.
She said police then located the vehicle abandoned at an Innisfail convenience store and arrested the female driver after a brief foot pursuit. Kay said RCMP officers from all three detachments then set up a containment area while members of the Police Dog Services attempted to locate the male passenger. He was not found.
She said no public property or police vehicles were damaged during the entire incident.
Angel Judith Marie Sears, 19, of Lacombe, faces one charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000, two additional charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and numerous traffic offences.
Sears made her first appearance in Red Deer provincial court on April 4. Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler said Sears is previously known to the local detachment.
Red Deer city RCMP Insp. Gerald Grobmeier
"Property crimes and the risks associated with attempting to stop stolen vehicles are everyone's concern, and we're grateful for the close collaboration we enjoy with our neighbouring detachments."
