A man from Rimbey driving a stolen truck was finally stopped by Airdrie Rural RCMP and the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) near Cochrane on Oct. 31 after he led officers on a pursuit through farmers’ fields and down gravel roads, according to Airdrie RCMP Media Liaison Constable Jason Curtis.
James Irwin, 27, has been charged with 18 criminal code offenses as a result of the incident, including Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Stolen Property, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from a Peace Officer, Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident, and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Disqualified.
Curtis said Airdrie RCMP initially received a call from the Calgary Police Service (CPS) at 11 a.m. that a stolen truck they were tracking using the HAWKS police helicopter had entered the Airdrie area, travelling north on Range Road 40 towards Township Road 274. The vehicle had been involved in a number of hit-and-runs in Calgary, and the driver was driving dangerously, according to CPS.
“The vehicle was considered a serious danger to public safety if not intercepted,” Curtis said.
“You have to weigh the danger of pursuing to the danger of allowing the vehicle to continue on. We don’t want anyone to get killed.”
A member of the Airdrie Rural RCMP pursued the vehicle and attempted to get Irwin to pull over using lights and sirens, according to Curtis. Irwin managed to evade a spike belt laid across Range Road 40 at 12:08 p.m.
At 12:20 p.m. the truck went off the road and became high-centered in a ditch. Irwin was arrested without incident.
Drugs are believed to be a factor, according to Curtis.
“There was indications that he was under the influence of controlled substances at the time,” Curtis said.
Methamphetamine and marijuana were found in the vehicle, along with a machete, according to Curtis.
The vehicle, a 1996 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, was originally stolen from Trochu.
According to Curtis, the pursuit took place between Calgary, Airdrie, Didsbury, and Cochrane.
“He went through several fields and fences,” Curtis said.
“He drove through fences and corrals on one farmer’s property. Several people were outside and dove for cover.”
Anyone in the identified area with damage to their property is asked to report it to RCMP.
Curtis said there were no passengers in the truck with Irwin and no one was injured during the incident.
Irwin was taken into custody at the Calgary Remand Centre.
Curtis said he had a bail hearing on Oct. 31, but did not know the outcome.
If you have any information on any crime, call the Airdrie RCMP detachment at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
