Stolen truck that led RCMP on 2-hour chase had arsenal including loaded sawed-off shotgun
3 police cruisers damaged during high-speed pursuit in southern Alberta that ended with 2 arrests
The driver of a stolen pickup truck who led RCMP on a lengthy chase around southern Alberta that saw three police vehicles damaged was carrying a rifle, a shotgun and a loaded sawed-off shotgun, police say.
The pursuit started on Wednesday at about 2 p.m. when a man called police to report that he spotted his stolen Dodge pickup in Raymond.
Raymond RCMP officers arrived as the truck was being driven away. They attempted to pull it over, at which point the stolen truck reversed and rammed the police cruiser, disabling it.
A second officer pursued the truck out of town and into a farmer's field. The stolen truck also disabled the second RCMP vehicle by slamming into it.
"During this second incident an RCMP member discharged their service pistol," RCMP said in a release.
Surrounding detachments were notified and a Calgary Police Service HAWCS helicopter was called in to help with the pursuit.
Officers caught up with the stolen truck a short time later and it once again fled at high speed, RCMP said.
It drove into a field near the town of Foremost, where police rammed it to prevent it from fleeing again.
"Overall, this pursuit took place over nearly two hours and 100 kilometres of provincial highway, with speeds up to 170 km/h," RCMP said.
A man and a woman were arrested without further incident, RCMP said.
The driver, Joshua Schmaltz, 31, from Medicine Hat, was wanted on several charges including forcible confinement, assault and escaping lawful custody.
The passenger, Lori Malinsky, 39, from Taber, was also wanted for several offences including theft, possession of stolen property and flight from police.
More charges relating to the pursuit have not yet been sworn.
The officer involved in the first collision suffered minor injuries, was treated at hospital and released. No other officers or the suspects were injured.
As required by the Alberta Police Act, the officer-involved shooting will be investigated separately from the pursuit by the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch.
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