A Cochrane RCMP officer was injured while attempting to stop an impaired driver at the intersection of highways 1 and 22, Jan. 20.
At around 6 p.m., Cochrane RCMP received a complaint of an impaired driver travelling eastbound on Highway 1. An officer located the vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, and stopped the driver.
When the officer advised the driver, 35-year-old Richard Dylan Sawchuck of Courtenay, B.C., he was under arrest for impaired driving, the driver started the vehicle and fled the scene.
The officer was struck by the vehicle, sustaining minor injuries to his arm, as it sped away.
The suspect vehicle was last seen driving at a high rate of speed heading south on Highway 22 from Highway 1.
The officer was treated and released from hospital.
The RCMP has issued warrants for the arrest of Sawchuck, who has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, escape from lawful custody, assault on a police officer and assault on a police officer with a weapon.
According to an RCMP report, Sawchuck was likely moving to Calgary or Airdrie for work.
Cochrane robbery
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man suspected of robbing the Napa Auto Parts store located on Railway Ave. in Cochrane at around 2 a.m., Jan. 6.
The lone man smashed the front door to get inside the building.
He then stole a Makita five-inch angle grinder, jack stand combo, air compressor, Ultra Pro heavy duty vise, Power Ease generator, 1,000-watt inverter generator and two three-horsepower 2.5-gallon air compressors.
The store’s video surveillance equipment captured the suspect driving a light-coloured, possibly silver, 2000 to 2002 Hyundai Accent two-door hatchback.
Police are also looking for a man, who visited the store near the date of the theft and who was driving the Hyundai Accent.
Hit-and-run
Cochrane RCMP have charged two men who allegedly falsely reported a hit-and-run accident that took place in the morning of Jan. 11.
RCMP officers attended the scene of a hit-and-run near the Royal Bank, located at 130 1st Ave.
According to a police report dated Jan. 18, a vehicle appeared to have lost control, spun around and knocked over a lamp post, before leaving the scene.
On the same day, a man reported a hit-and-run to his vehicle that he said took place near 2nd Ave. in Cochrane.
Evidence collected at the location, the man’s truck and an investigation revealed both incidents were the same and that the complaint was allegedly a false statement.
Daniel Duchscher, the vehicle’s owner and alleged driver at the time of the incident, and Lawrence Duchscher were both charged with public mischief making a false statement to police.
Duchscher was also charged with driving disqualified and failing to remain at an accident scene.
Stolen truck
A Calgary man was arrested after allegedly stealing a truck from a home in Chestermere’s Aspenmere area, Jan. 22.
At around 9:30 p.m., a resident heard a truck engine being started and determined the sound was emanating from the resident’s Ford F-350 pickup, parked beside the house.
The owner realized the truck was being stolen and contacted Chestermere RCMP, who located the truck within town limits heading westbound on Highway 1A.
The RCMP followed the truck into Calgary using an unmarked police vehicle travelling at legal speeds.
The Calgary Police Service was alerted when this truck stopped at a convenience store in Calgary and arrested a man without incident.
Upon arresting the man, Jason Little, 29, police discovered a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession.
He was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of breaching previous release conditions and possession of a controlled substance.
Little was taken to the Strathmore RCMP detachment cells.
School lockdown
Cochrane High, Manachaban and Elizabeth Barrett schools were locked down after a threat of a firearm, Jan. 23.
Cochrane RCMP responded to the school in the morning and determined a student at the school had expressed interest to other students of purchasing a gun.
The student said he wanted to learn how to shoot for a possible future career in the military or police.
Police determined students misinterpreted the comments and they were blown out of proportion, causing concern of a threat.
The youth and his parents were interviewed, and police learned the parents decided the young man would not be allowed to purchase a gun at this time.
The school returned to normal operations just after 10 a.m.
No charges are pending.
If you have information on any crime, contact your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppers.ab.ca
