OLDS - Suspects in a stolen truck evaded police capture for over 100 kilometres on June 1 before being apprehended approximately 12 kilometres northwest of Olds.
The multi-jurisdication chase involved RCMP from Airdrie, Innisfail, Olds, Sundre and Didsbury, RCMP Police Dog Service (PDS) and Calgary Police Service Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (CPS HAWCS).
It forced the closure of a lane on Highway 2 for a period before entering Olds where an increased police presence was noted. Some property damage was incurred in or around Olds as the driver of the truck tried to evade police said RCMP Cpl. Laurel Scott.
Deployment of a tire deflation device near Twp. 340 and Rge. Rd. 24 eventually stopped the vehicle and three suspects were apprehended.
“This incident involved resources from several different detachment jurisdictions who all worked together to bring this situation to a safe resolution. The RCMP thanks our partner, CPS HAWCS, for the valuable assistance provided,” said Scott.
She said at about 9:37 a.m., RCMP received complaints about an erratic driver in the Airdrie area.
It was believed to be the same vehicle Chestermere RCMP tried to effect a traffic stop on earlier that morning on Highway 9, she said.
Police officers located the suspect truck, determined it to be a stolen red Ford F150 pickup truck and initiated a traffic stop near the Carstairs exit northbound on Highway 2. The driver of the pickup truck refused to stop for police, she said.
The suspect vehicle travelled northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 2, she said. Responding RCMP were able to stop southbound traffic in order to keep the public safe, while HAWCS monitored the vehicle, she said.
It came into Olds on Highway 27, eventually exiting the town going northbound on 70th Avenue, she said.
“I think as the vehicle was trying to avoid the police it struck -- my understanding is -- fences. But certainly if anybody felt they had damage as a result of this they can contact the Olds detachment,” she said.
The truck got stuck in a field east of Rge. Rd. 24 on Twp. Rd. 340 after running over the tire deflation device, she said.
A male and a female were arrested at the truck without incident while another male fled. After a brief foot pursuit, with the assistance of the RCMP PDS, the male was arrested.
Dustin Edward Watetch, 30, of Regina, Sask. faces the following criminal charges: flight from a peace officer; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; resist arrest; possession of stolen property; three counts of mischief; and three counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose. His next court date is June 12 in Calgary provincial court.
Richard Mulvihill, 27, of Strathmore, faces the following criminal charges: theft of a motor vehicle; resist arrest; three counts of breach of probation; two counts of breach of recognizance; and possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl. His next court date is June 12 in Calgary provincial court.
Hannah Grace-Marie Davidson, 18, of Calgary, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle and three counts of failing to comply with an undertaking. Davidson was released on a recognizance and is to make her first appearance on July 9, 2019 in Didsbury provincial court.
