Members from the Airdrie Rural RCMP were called upon by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) to assist with a stolen vehicle heading towards Airdrie Dec. 3, according to Airdrie Rural RCMP Constable Matt Gervais.
The CPS HAWCS helicopter alerted RCMP the vehicle was heading towards Airdrie and, with the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP were able to stop the vehicle and make an arrest.
“We deployed a spike belt at Range Road 13 and Highway 566,” Gervais said.
The man continued to drive the vehicle until it finally lost a tire and he pulled over.
A 59-year-old man from Calgary was arrested and has been charged with dangerous driving, fleeing from police and two charges of possession of stolen property.
“We’re not going to release his name. He’s been charged, we’re just not going to release it at all,” Gervais said. “We just made that decision.”
The possession of stolen property charges refer to the vehicle as well as some items he is alleged to have stolen from a retailer in Calgary, according to Gervais.
Snarled Traffic
A two-vehicle collision on northbound Highway 2 just south of the exit ramp to Yankee Valley Boulevard resulted in only minor injuries for those involved but caused major traffic backups for motorists Dec. 3.
The collision occurred at 6 p.m., according to Gervais. A single lane of Highway 2 was closed for approximately one hour; however, it took another half an hour to 45 minutes for traffic flow to recover.
A Dodge Avenger stopped on the highway because of traffic backed up on the off ramp and was struck by a Honda Civic. The 52-year-old driver of the Honda from Calgary was transported to a hospital in Calgary while his 12-year-old passenger, also from Calgary, was taken to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The lone occupant of the Avenger was treated on scene by EMS and released.
No charges are pending.
Cards Used
Credit and gift cards stolen from a number of residents and vehicles during separate break and enters in late November in Airdrie were subsequently used by the alleged thieves at stores at CrossIron Mills mall in Balzac and at a gas station in Airdrie, according to Gervais.
A number of break and enters to residences in the Luxstone, Coopers Crossing and Hillcrest neighbourhoods required the response of RCMP on Nov. 20 between 1 and 3 a.m., according to Gervais. Gift cards stolen from the homes during those crimes were used at CrossIron Mills on Nov. 20 and 21. Surveillance video footage was provided to RCMP of the two suspects and RCMP is hoping someone will be able to help them identify the two men.
A pre-paid credit card that was stolen from a vehicle during a rash of vehicle break and enters in southwest Airdrie over a three-day period at the end of November was used by a man and a woman at a gas station in Airdrie and their images captured on video surveillance. Again, RCMP would like the public’s help in identifying the two individuals.
“RCMP would like to remind everyone to lock their vehicle and remove any valuables from sight,” Gervais said. “As the holiday season is upon us, criminals will do their own shopping through parking lots, along the streets and in parking garages looking for any items of value in vehicles.”
If you have any information about any crime, contact the Airdrie RCMP Detachment at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
