The recovery site of the U-Haul truck. (Strathmore RCMP)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

22 Charges Laid

RCMP recover stolen truck, travel trailer, U-Haul truck, and arrest one

Aug 25, 2022 | 11:13 AM

A man last known to reside in Red Deer is facing nearly two dozen charges after police seized a stolen truck, travel trailer, and U-Haul truck following a flight from police and erratic driving incident near Strathmore this month.

On August 14, 2022 at approximately 2:30 a.m. while on regular patrol, a Strathmore RCMP member encountered a U-Haul truck with another pickup truck and travel trailer stopped at the on-ramp to Highway 1 eastbound from Highway 797.

Mounties say the trailer lights on the travel trailer appeared to be out, noting the member stopped to offer assistance to the driver pulling the travel trailer. When the driver noticed the car was a police vehicle, however, he pulled away quickly.

Initial contact with the two vehicles and travel trailer in question. (Strathmore RCMP)

RCMP say the Strathmore member followed and tried to initiate a traffic stop on both vehicles but discontinued efforts when both refused to stop and engaged in an erratic driving pattern. HAWCS was requested to assist.

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The truck and travel trailer were spotted by another Strathmore member east of Strathmore on Highway 1 which had turned back westbound toward Strathmore. Another traffic stop was attempted but the driver is said to have begun swaying across both lanes of travel. The Strathmore member discontinued attempts to stop with HAWCS in a position to monitor the vehicle.

The truck and travel trailer were abandoned in Strathmore and the driver got into the U-Haul truck. Members continued to receive updates from HAWCS who reported a location where the U-Haul truck stopped and both occupants fled on foot. A Calgary Police Service Dog and handler were on site who assisted in tracking the suspects, one of which were taken into custody.

RCMP say the investigation revealed that the travel trailer worth approximately $40,000 was stolen from an RV dealership in Calgary. Meanwhile, the pickup truck valued at approximately $24,000 was also determined to be stolen out of Olds.

Mounties say both owners were unaware of the thefts before police contacted them. The U-Haul was also overdue to be returned and filled, with property believed to be stolen.

The apprehended male driver identified as Devon Tanner, a 36-year-old man last known to reside in Red Deer, was held for a hearing on 22 charges which include:

• Flight from Peace Officer X2;
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
• Fail to Comply with a Release Condition X9;
• Fail to Comply with a Probation Order X3;
• Possession of a Controlled Substance;
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 X2;
• Drive Uninsured Motor Vehicle on Highway;
• Drive While Unauthorized;
• Possession of Break in Instruments; and
• Pulling Trailer with No Signal Lamps.

Police say Tanner remains in custody at this time. The investigation also remains ongoing with an additional suspect and continued efforts to identify owners of recovered property from within the U-Haul truck.

“Strathmore members are active in their patrols throughout our area to keep our residents safe, to detect, and to deter crime,” says Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, Detachment Commander, Strathmore RCMP-GRC. “In this case, being observant resulted in the recovery of a significant value of items which were returned to their owners, and one of the offenders involved at this time will face charges. I’d also like to express my thanks to Calgary Police Service for their assistance in this investigation and continued seamless working relationship to keep Albertans safe.”