St. Albert RCMP have charged a youth with numerous Criminal Code offences after a police car was rammed by a driver in a stolen SUV.
RCMP said a victim of theft notified them on Oct. 14 at around 4:15 a.m. that their silver Ford Escape had just been stolen from Langholm Drive. Officers saw the stolen vehicle turn eastbound on Giroux Road, and followed it into Sturgeon County, where it turned into a rural subdivision cul-de-sac.
When an RCMP member blocked the cul-de-sac entrance with their patrol vehicle, the driver of the stolen vehicle accelerated and rammed the rear passenger side bumper of the police vehicle, causing significant damage. The driver of the stolen vehicle then took off southbound into Edmonton.
EPS Air-One and EPS patrol units helped locate the stolen Ford Escape, and a male youth was arrested. He cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the charges against him were not publicly disclosed by RCMP.
The St. Albert RCMP member whose vehicle was rammed suffered minor injuries.
The stolen SUV sustained damage to its front end.
The RCMP list a number of theft prevention measures that can reduce the risk of stolen vehicles. These include:
- Lock vehicle doors and roll up windows
- Park in a locked garage or a well-lit, populated area
- Remove keys, garage door openers and vehicle registration papers
- Check the vehicle regularly even if not being used
- Avoid leaving a vehicle unlocked and the motor running
- Avoid leaving items unattended in the vehicle including the trunk
- Install a vehicle alarm
- Use a steering wheel locking device
If you are aware of a crime in your neighbourhood, contact the St. Albert RCMP detachment at 780-458-7700. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
