Innisfail man charged after stolen truck disabled and stolen property seized

Aug 26, 2022 | 9:53 AM

An Innisfail man is facing several new charges after police disabled a stolen truck and seized other stolen property and illicit drugs near Olds last weekend.

On Aug. 20, 2022, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Strathmore RCMP was notified that two stolen vehicles had fled from a member in Three Hills who attempted a traffic stop after confirming one was stolen.

Mounties say Strathmore members obtained a visual of the vehicles as they headed south on Highway 21. An unmarked unit followed one of the stolen vehicles, a Black mid 2010’s model Ram pickup at a distance. The vehicle travelled west and back to Highway 21 north through Airdrie rural area.

Police say the vehicle continued until it turned west on Highway 27 towards Olds. Olds detachment members deployed a tire deflation device east of Highway 2 which RCMP say was effective in disabling the vehicle. The offender drove the stolen truck on flat tires westbound until it could no longer be operated.

Meantime, the Strathmore member following the stolen vehicle moved in and took the offender into custody as Olds members moved in to help clear the vehicle.

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(Strathmore RCMP)

RCMP say the truck was recovered with stolen property and illicit substances found inside. The offender was identified as Mitchell Engler, a 37-year-old resident of Innisfail who was transported to the Strathmore detachment where he was charged with 15 new offences and remanded in custody.

Engler’s new charges include:

Flight from Peace officer;
Fail to comply with condition of probation X 4;
Fail to comply with condition of release order X 5;
Operate a motor vehicle while prohibited;
Possession of a controlled substance X 2;
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

RCMP say Engler at the time of his arrest, was subject to a driving prohibition, bound by two probation orders; and two other release orders for 25 outstanding charges involving drugs, failure to comply with conditions, prohibited driving, and property offences.

“While we are observing an increase in property crime, so too are the efforts of our front line members,” says Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, Detachment Commander, Strathmore RCMP. “The proactive effort to identify criminal activity and coordination between four Detachments to apprehend this offender exemplifies the professionalism of our members proudly serving Albertans.”

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Innisfail man charged after stolen truck disabled and stolen property seized

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