SUNDRE — Fuel thieves that were caught in the act by a witness fled the scene so recklessly that the bystander’s own vehicle was struck several times with the individual still inside, local Mounties reported.
However, although the person's vehicle was badly damaged, they were otherwise not injured, said police.
At about 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Aug. 10, suspects driving a white pickup truck along with a red F350 broke into the SNL Energy Services yard in Sundre and stole a black double A tandem axle flat-deck trailer, Sundre RCMP reported in a press release.
The stolen trailer, which has an Alberta licence plate number 5HX188, was also carrying a 1,000-gallon (3,785-litre) white fuel tank with the SNL logo on the side, said police.
Almost an hour later at around 6:25 a.m., the white pickup truck that had the stolen trailer in tow was seen at a rural property near highways 22 and 27. The white pickup truck was still with the F350 that police said has since been confirmed as being registered under Alberta licence plate number CCC9599 and was stolen from Olds Aug. 10.
“The suspects were attempting to steal fuel from construction equipment,” reads a portion of the press release.
By that time, a third vehicle – described as a dark-coloured black or grey Dodge pickup – had joined the other two suspect vehicles, according to police.
“The suspects recognized that someone had seen them,” said police.
The culprits at that point reportedly proceeded to immediately flee the scene with little regard for safety.
“And in their attempt to escape, two of the suspect vehicles made contact multiple times with the witness vehicle while the witness was inside,” said police.
While the witness’s vehicle sustained “significant damage,” the occupant was not harmed and their vehicle remained operable, said police.
The white truck that was hauling the trailer was last seen heading in a southbound direction on Highway 22, while the red F350 and dark-coloured dodge pickup were last seen driving off in an eastbound direction toward Olds on Highway 27.
Although details on the suspects’ descriptions were scant, police reported that one culprit seen to be with the dark-coloured Dodge pickup was described as a Caucasian male wearing over his face a black bandana with a red skull on it.
Information about this crime can be reported to the Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675. Callers who prefer to remain anonymous may alternatively contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit information online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
