Olds RCMP are investigating three rather different crimes that occurred in town last week.
On June 16 at about noon, Henry's Shoes reported that a male had shoplifted a pair of running shoes and ran out the door.
With help from the public, police later located the alleged shoplifter at the Olds Municipal Library.
"He was wearing the stolen shoes and fled prior to police having an opportunity to make an arrest," Olds RCMP commanding officer Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald said.
"A short foot pursuit ensued and he was apprehended and taken into custody about a block away."
A 20-year-old man is facing several charges in relation to the incident.
Much earlier that same morning someone used a cinder block to smash the front window of Pappy's Emporium.
Police say a significant number of marijuana bongs and other paraphernalia were stolen.
As of late last week, no suspects had been identified.
On June 19, shortly after midnight, staff at the Westview Co-op grocery store reported that a female had fallen through the ceiling and was hiding in an office.
She had sustained minor injuries and after police arrived, she was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.
"Police determined that there was intent to commit a criminal offence and that mental health issues were factors in the incident," MacDonald said.
No charges were laid in that incident.
In the case of the alleged shoe thief, MacDonald said "perhaps he should have broken in the new shoes before attempting to run from the police."
He was asked if, while in the library, the alleged thief was taking out a book about shoes.
MacDonald couldn't say. But "I wonder what he was reading," he added with a laugh.
"We actually have video of that. It's quite an entertaining watch as this guy zigzags across the road, tries to get away from the member," MacDonald said. (He) didn't have much of a chance."
MacDonald confirmed the only thing the man allegedly stole were the shoes.
MacDonald could not say if the alleged marijuana bong theft is in any way related to the fact that recreational consumption of marijuana will soon be legal (on Oct. 17).
"Hard to say," he said. "They've been targeted before in other areas."
MacDonald said by themselves those crimes are a bit unusual, but it's especially unusual to get three in one week.
"I mean, you get your usual theft of a vehicle and the break and enters; things like that aren't really out of the ordinary. But these three things, they struck me as a little more interesting than the standard things that happen around here."
