SUNDRE — Police have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect involved in a thwarted attempt to steal a vehicle from in front of a local business.
In an updated statement released on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 7, the Sundre RCMP detachment announced that charges have been laid in the case and an arrest warrant issued.
On the evening of Sunday, Jan. 30, the owner of a pickup that had been parked in front of Mama’s Laundromat & Papa’s Inside Self Storage Units in Sundre saw his vehicle being driven off and confronted the attempted-thief, with the ensuing altercation resulting in the truck colliding into a garbage dumpster.
The suspect at the time managed to flee the scene on foot.
As a result of the police investigation, Joel Champion, 29, with an address from Lacombe, has been charged under several sections of the Criminal Code as well as the Traffic Safety Act:
Charges include vehicle theft; possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose; failure to comply with a release order; careless driving; and driving while unauthorized.
In a follow-up question about the weapons charge, Sgt. Trent Sperlie, the Sundre RCMP detachment’s commander, said an edged weapon was left at the scene.
Mounties are informing the public that Champion remains at large. The suspect has a unique neck tattoo that should facilitate identifying him.
However, police urge people not to approach or attempt to pursue him in the event someone sees him. Instead, sightings should immediately be reported to police by calling 911.
Alternatively, dated information about last known whereabouts can be called into the Sundre Detachment at 403-638-3655 or local police. Anyone who prefers to remain anonymous can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or digitally submit information online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
