SASKATOON - Two incidents involving stolen vehicles evading police over the weekend ended with arrests, thanks to multi-agency efforts.
The first incident started at about 9:30 p.m., June 25 when a Saskatoon Police Service officer witnessed a Dodge Ram 1500 being driven erratically in the area of 20th Street West and 1st Avenue. The officer then saw the vehicle drive through a red light and increase its speed. As the vehicle proceeded onto the Sid Buckwold Bridge, the SPS Air Support Unit (ASU) was able to locate it and tracked the vehicle so ground units could disengage. The driver of the vehicle continued to drive in a dangerous manner though no patrol units were pursuing, and left the city traveling east on Highway 16.
Saskatchewan RCMP were notified as ASU continued to monitor from the air. The vehicle was seen passing the town of Clavet, turning south and continuing to drive using secondary and grid roads and at times, traveling in ditches and fields.
The vehicle made its way to the Young area, and then traveled toward Watrous.
Responding Saskatoon RCMP, Lanigan RCMP, Humboldt RCMP and Watrous RCMP officers went to Young, to Watrous and to Young again to deploy tire deflation devices and intercept the fleeing vehicle.
The driver subsequently left the road and became stuck in a field near the town of Young. As the driver remained in the truck, members of the Saskatchewan RCMP, SPS Canine Unit and Tactical Support Unit approached the vehicle and successfully took the male into custody without incident. The vehicle was found to have been reported stolen from Rosthern.
A 32-year-old Saskatoon man is now facing charges of Evade Police, dangerous driving, driving while prohibited, and possession of stolen property over $5,000. He was wanted on warrants from Shellbrook and Blaine Lake. The second incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m., June 27, 2022 when an SPS patrol officer spotted a Dodge Nitro that had been reported stolen in Prince Albert. ASU was overhead as the officer attempted a traffic stop near 21st Street and Idylwyld Drive North. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for police, running a red light at 22nd Street and Idylwyld Drive North. As the ground patrol unit disengaged, ASU was able to monitor the vehicle which travelled at a high rate of speed northbound on Idylwyld Drive. The driver left the city on Highway 11 traveling toward Warman. Both Warman RCMP and Corman Park Police were notified and successfully deployed several tire deflation devices. The suspect vehicle was disabled and came to a stop a short distance away. The female driver of the vehicle was taken into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating bear spray, methamphetamine and psilocybin.
A 21-year-old Prince Albert woman is facing charges of Dangerous Driving, Evade Police, Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Psilocybin. Court information # 991200795, 991200796.
“These incidents are an example of how serious and potentially dangerous situations aren’t limited to the area within Saskatoon city limits,” said Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper. “As is the case often, a successful conclusion is the direct result of our extensive training, coordinated policing and valuable partnerships.”
“The safe and successful arrests of these fleeing suspects were the result of seamless teamwork between Saskatoon RCMP, Lanigan RCMP, Humboldt RCMP, Watrous RCMP, CTSS, SPS and SPS Air One during the entirety of these incidents. We would like to thank SPS for their work with our units in the execution of their duties,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Acting Central District Commander Inspector Brent Olberg. “This shows how ready and committed our police forces are to integrate and take criminals off our streets.”
