(Credit: Lenore Lamb)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

police chase through city's east end

Suspect goes uncaptured after evening flight from Red Deer RCMP

May 11, 2020 | 8:49 PM

A suspect is on the loose after a lengthy flight from police on Sunday.

Red Deer RCMP Inspector Holly Glassford says the entire ordeal began around 8:30 a.m. when police received a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Innisfail.

At about 5:15 p.m., Red Deer RCMP were tipped off by a friend of the vehicle owner that the stolen truck was at a cardlock location in Queens Industrial Park.

The owner of the stolen truck then arrived, and along with the friend attempted to box the suspect and the truck in. The suspect then allegedly pointed a firearm at them before driving off.

“They backed off and the suspect headed out on the C&E Trail. A few times throughout the evening, we tried to pick up the truck. Each time we activated our emergency equipment, the truck did not stop and continued to drive erratically, so we would call off our pursuit for the public’s and the officers’ safety,” says Glassford.

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The truck was seen driving southbound on Taylor Drive, and then reported to police again on Jewell Street in Johnstone.

During the 6 o’ clock hour, Glassford says, the scene shifted to Eastview where RCMP set up a spike belt, and successfully blew out at least one tire on the truck.

The truck then hit two other vehicles causing minor damage, before coming to rest over the sidewalk and on someone’s yard in the area of 38 Avenue and 44 Street.

“The driver, described by the owner as a Caucasian male, fled the scene on foot,” says Glassford. “Although we did have Police Dog Service called and a number of members attended, we were unable to apprehend the driver.”

The inspector says it’s extremely important that anyone with information, video or other material stemming from the incident call and provide that to RCMP, as it could be useful in locating the suspect.

The suspect is not to be approached as he could still be armed. Mounties found no other firearms or material inside the stolen truck.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.