By rdnewsNOW staff

Resisting Arrest

Olds RCMP pursue stolen vehicle into wheat field

Aug 12, 2019 | 2:35 PM

An Innisfail man is facing dozens of charges following a fraud complaint-turned police chase on Saturday.

On Aug. 10 around 12:00 p.m., Olds RCMP responded to a complaint of a possible fraud occurring at the registries office in the Town of Olds.

As officers arrived on scene, Mounties say the suspect quickly entered a Jeep which was later determined to have been stolen from the Three Hills area.

It’s alleged the suspect drove the Jeep into the responding police vehicle, then into the registries office building before fleeing from police at a high rate of speed.

The suspect was pursued by Olds RCMP through the town, then onto southbound Highway 2.

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As the pursuit continued south and through county roads, RCMP say officers from Didsbury and Airdrie detachments, as well as Airdrie Traffic Services were dispatched to assist.

According to Mounties, the pursuit which lasted approximately one hour, ended when the Jeep became stuck as it drove through a wheat field east of Crossfield.

The suspect is said to have fled on foot but was apprehended after a short foot chase through the field.

Fortunately, police say there were no injuries as a result of the actions of the suspect or the ensuing pursuit.

Bernard Michael Sontheim, 28, has been charged with 25 Criminal Code offences, including assault with a weapon, resist arrest, flight from police, dangerous driving, mischief, possession of stolen property, fail to comply with a recognizance and several fraud related offences.

Arrest warrants were also executed for over 60 offences committed in other locations around Alberta.

Sontheim has been remanded in custody to appear in Didsbury Provincial Court on August 19.

Police say they are continuing their investigation and are requesting anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Olds RCMP Detachment at 403-556-3324.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com.