(rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

Oct. 18, 2022

New trial date set for accused in police pursuit near Caroline where shot was fired

Dec 17, 2021 | 12:36 PM

A new trial date has been scheduled for two people charged in a police pursuit near Caroline last year that saw officers fired at by one of the suspects.

James Patrick Metzger, 35, and Danielle Bishop, 29, are scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 18, 2022. They were previously scheduled for trial in Rocky Mountain House provincial court on Nov. 8, for their roles in the October 2020 incident.

It was just before 8 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2020, when Sylvan Lake Mounties received a complaint about a truck that was stolen from Eckville. Neighbouring detachments were made aware and it was eventually members from Rocky Mountain House who located the vehicle on Highway 54 near Caroline.

RCMP say they were following the truck when it made a u-turn on the highway and tried ramming the police vehicle, leading to a pursuit that eventually saw the stolen truck run over a spike belt.

Police say the driver of the truck continued to attempt to evade officers by purposefully crashing through a gate, and then getting stuck on a lease site. The male driver is said to have gotten out of the truck and discharged a round from a shotgun.

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The male driver and a female passenger were taken into custody by Rocky Mountain House RCMP.

No injuries were reported and no police vehicles were damaged.

A loaded 12-gauge pump action shotgun with a sawed-off barrel was seized from the scene, while a search of the truck led to the seizure of several stolen ID cards and credit cards believed to be from thefts across central Alberta.

A sawed-off shotgun RCMP say was fired and seized during the arrest. (RCMP)

At the time of arrest, James Patrick Metzger was said to be known to police, and had several outstanding warrants.

As a result of the incident, he is facing numerous charges including firearm and weapons offences, possession of a controlled substance, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of stolen identity documents, and failing to comply with various court orders.

Danielle Bishop also faces numerous charges related to this and other incidents.