One person from Red Deer has been arrested and is facing a number of charges after Strathmore RCMP conducted a traffic stop on Sunday, August 14th.
On August 14th at 2:30 a.m. a Strathmore RCMP member encountered a U-Haul truck with another pickup truck and travel trailer stopped at the on-ramp to Highway 1 Eastbound from Highway 797.
The trailer lights on the travel trailer appeared to be out. the officer stopped to offer assistance to the driver pulling the travel trailer. When the driver noticed the car was a police vehicle, he pulled away quickly. RCMP followed and tried to initiate a traffic stop on both vehicles but discontinued efforts when both refused to stop and engaged in an erratic driving pattern. HAWCS was requested to assist.
The truck and travel trailer were spotted by another Strathmore member East of Strathmore on Highway 1 which had turned back Westbound toward Strathmore at that time another traffic stop was attempted but the driver began swaying across both lanes of travel.
The RCMP discontinued attempts to stop with HAWCS in a position to monitor the vehicle. The truck and travel trailer were abandoned in Strathmore and the driver got into the U-Haul truck. RCMP continued to receive updates from HAWCS who reported a location where the U-Haul truck stopped and both occupants fled on foot. A Calgary Police Service Dog and handler were on site who assisted in tracking the suspects, one of which was taken into custody.
“Strathmore members are active in their patrols throughout our area to keep our residents safe, to detect, and deter crime. In this case, being observant resulted in the recovery of a significant value of items that were returned to their owners, and one of the offenders involved at this time will face charges. I’d also like to express my thanks to Calgary Police Service for their assistance in this investigation and continued seamless working relationship to keep Albertans safe," said Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz Detachment Commander Strathmore RCMP.
The investigation revealed the travel trailer worth approximately $40,000 was stolen from an RV dealership in Calgary. The pickup truck valued at approximately $24,000 was also determined to be stolen in Olds. Both owners were unaware of the thefts before police contacted them. The U-Haul was overdue to be returned and filled with property believed to be stolen.
Devon Tanner, a 36-year-old man last known to reside in Red Deer was apprehended and held for a hearing on 22 charges which include:
- Flight from Peace Officer X 2;
- Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
- Fail to Comply with a Release Condition X 9;
- Fail to Comply with a Probation Order X 3;
- Possession of a Controlled Substance;
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 X 2;
- Drive Uninsured Motor Vehicle on Highway;
- Drive While Unauthorized;
- Possession of Break in Instruments; and
- Pulling Trailer with No Signal Lamps.
Tanner remains in custody at this time. The investigation remains ongoing at this time with an additional suspect and continued efforts to identify the owners of recovered property from within the U-Haul truck.
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