A dangerous police pursuit last fall that nearly turned deadly for one suspect resulted in three Red Deer residents facing numerous charges.
Last October, a stolen vehicle involved in several incidents spanning across the RCMP's Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake jurisdictions resulted in police laying charges against two suspects, while the third was later charged after recovering in hospital from wounds sustained in the encounter.
Shae-Lee Phillips initially faced a charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000 as well as uttering threats. However, following several court appearances since the incident, those two charges were stayed on March 29.
Nicholas James Wales faced eight criminal charges, including the following: two counts of possession of property over $5,000; uttering threats; break and enter into a residence and committing theft; resisting arrest; failing to stop for police; robbery; and assault with a weapon.
After numerous court appearances, Wales eventually entered guilty pleas on Feb. 6, 2018 in Red Deer for the following offences: possession of stolen property; two counts of break and enter; and failure to stop for police. After 174 days of pre-trial custody, the accused was to serve the remainder of a sentence of three years and six days as of that court date, a clerk with Alberta Court Checks wrote by email.
After recovering, Dakota Lee Cornelssen was charged late this past April with the following: break and enter as well as robbery; two counts of possession of property obtained by crime; flight from police; dangerous driving; and two counts of resisting or willfully obstructing a peace officer.
Cornelssen’s proceedings in Red Deer provincial court have since been adjourned several times. The last court date for election and plea on June 21 was rescheduled for July 6.
On Oct. 13, 2017, RCMP had received numerous complaints of a motorist driving in an erratic and threatening manner in the Sundre area that resulted in a close call with a member of the public whose vehicle was rammed. The suspect vehicle was subsequently determined to have been stolen, and the Sundre RCMP detachment advised neighbouring departments to be on the lookout. Later spotted that afternoon in the Rocky Mountain House area, attempts to stop the suspects were not successful.
By about 4:25 p.m., the suspects were found driving in Sylvan Lake RCMP’s jurisdiction. Officers successfully deployed a spike belt that prompted the driver to turn around towards the members. Police then discharged several rounds as two of the three occupants ran off and broke into a residence occupied by a family with young children, police reported at the time.
“They were unsuccessful in stealing any vehicles; however, stole the occupants’ cellphones. The two males then proceeded to an adjacent farmhouse and broke into the unoccupied residence, stealing keys and a pickup truck,” a press release stated.
“Members blocked this vehicle and the suspect rammed the police vehicle.”
Officers again opened fire. Alberta Serious Incident Response Team initiated an investigation while the RCMP continued its investigation of the suspects.
Greg Gudelot, ASIRT spokesperson, said last Thursday afternoon the file remains in the investigative stage.
