DIDSBURY - Didsbury RCMP located a male driving what was determined to be a stolen truck on March 12 after receiving a complaint of a suspicious male.
The driver turned out to have been involved in an alleged break-and-enter attempt and police pursuit in Camrose County four days earlier.
"After tactically trying to contain the suspect and the stolen truck, the driver attempted to flee and got the vehicle struck," said Cpl. Laurel Scott, RCMP media relations.
The driver, Trent Ainsley McAdam, a 32-year-old male of the Ermineskin First Nation, was arrested without incident. McAdam was determined to have been wanted on an arrest warrant from the incident on March 8 in Camrose County, where he and another male, 28-year-old Todd Orrin Adams of Rimbey, allegedly fled police following a thwarted break-and-enter attempt, which included a multi-jurisdictional pursuit and short foot pursuit.
"At 10:49 p.m. Camrose RCMP responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint," said Scott of the March 8 incident. "Immediate patrols were made and the suspected vehicle was located leaving a local business. The RCMP attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. It was determined that the vehicle had been stolen out of Leduc earlier in the day."
With the assistance of Wetaskiwin and Maskwacis RCMP, a tire deflation device was deployed, said Scott.
"The vehicle was abandoned in the City of Wetaskiwin and two male suspects fled on foot," she said. "Following a short foot pursuit, one male suspect was arrested. Police Dog Services was utilized to attempt to track the second suspect, however, he was not located immediately."
The stolen truck was recovered by the RCMP and ultimately returned to its owner.
McAdam was charged with two criminal code charges for the Camrose incident: possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and break and enter with intent. As a result of the investigation in Didsbury, he is facing five more criminal charges: possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; fail to stop for police; driving while disqualified; and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.
Adams was charged with: operation of a motor vehicle while being pursued; driving while disqualified; break and enter with intent; and possession of property obtained by crime, over $5,000.
Bail hearings were held for both men. Adams remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin provincial court on March 13. McAdams is also in custody and is scheduled to appear in Camrose provincial court on March 13.
Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier said that the tip came from another driver who had seen the stolen truck on social media.
"By chance he found the vehicle and followed it into Didsbury and called police," said Fournier. "The truck was a Ford Excursion SUV. "
Fournier was appreciative of the tip from the public that led to the arrest.
"This is a fantastic example of the public helping the police in identifying the vehicle and providing assistance," he said.
