A 26-year-old Red Deer man is facing 12 criminal charges after he abandoned his car near Carstairs and hitched a ride with a Good Samaritan last week.
"On Thursday, Dec. 29 at 1342 hours, we received several complaints of a dangerous and possibly impaired driver in a yellow 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with B.C. licence plates,î said Cpl. Darrin Turnbull of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit. "Patrols were made and the Monte Carlo was found abandoned on the side of the road near Carstairs.î
Police were unaware that the male driver and lone occupant of the Monte Carlo had run out of gas and had hitched a ride with a passing motorist, a Good Samaritan who was travelling alone.
"The Good Samaritan quickly realized that the hitchhiker was intoxicated and behaving irrationally,î said Turnbull. "He attempted to convince the hitchhiker to allow him to drop him off in Airdrie, but the hitchhiker made demands to be driven all the way into Calgary. The Good Samaritan told the hitchhiker he had to turn at Airdrie to go to B.C.î
At that point, Turnbull said, the hitchhiker pulled a jackknife, threatening the Good Samaritan. "The hitchhiker demanded that the Good Samaritan pull over to the side of the road, which he did on southbound Highway 2 at the off-ramp to Yankee Valley Boulevard in Airdrie.î
The hitchhiker then stole the Good Samaritan's car and wallet, ordering him out of the car and driving away.
"The Good Samaritan immediately called 911,î said Turnbull.
The hitchhiker headed eastbound onto Yankee Valley Boulevard, where several members of the Airdrie RCMP happened to be conducting an impaired driving checkstop in the westbound lanes.
"RCMP members were able to stop the vehicle mere minutes after the robbery,î added Turnbull. "The hitchhiker was taken into custody.î
William Clayton Bradshaw, 26, had been out of jail for just 12 days. He is facing charges of impaired driving; dangerous driving; refusal to provide a breath sample; suspended driving; possession of a dangerous weapon; carrying a concealed weapon; armed robbery; obstruction of a police officer; assault of a police officer; and three counts of breach probation.
"Luckily, the Good Samaritan was not injured during this ordeal,î said Turnbull. "Following the demands of the hitchhiker likely prevented him from being assaulted by this dangerous and intoxicated male.î
Police wish to remind motorists of the possible dangers of picking up any hitchhikers.
"If a citizen observes a stranded motorist who appears to require assistance, it's best to call police and allow them to check on the motorist's well-being,î said Turnbull.
