A vehicle suspected stolen in Biggar has been recovered in Zealandia with the alleged driver facing several charges. RCMP say it was the third of three vehicles stolen in Biggar Tuesday morning.
The chase took officers from Biggar and Rosetown south of Perdue and along highway 7 to Zealandia.
Police say a man who stopped the car and bolted was tracked down by a service dog and found in an outbuilding. RCMP recovered the other two stolen cars.
A number of break and enters and thefts were also reported to police within the same time frame and it is believed that these events may be connected to the stolen vehicles. RCMP also believe there were multiple people involved.
Biggar RCMP thank Arelee/Perdue and Surrounding Area’s Crime Stoppers, which is an internet-based rural crime watch partnership with Biggar RCMP. Police says a sighting of the third stolen vehicle had been reported to the group, and Biggar RCMP, within a few minutes of being posted to the crime watch site. This ultimately led to the recovery of that vehicle, and subsequently, the arrest of a person of interest.
Biggar RCMP have charged 26 year-old Russell Reader of Lloydminster, AB faces 11 charges ranging from theft of a motor vehicle to break and enter to steal a firearm.
· Theft of a motor vehicle, Section 333.1(1) Criminal Code (three counts)
· Operation of a motor vehicle while being pursued by police, Section 249.1(1) Criminal Code
· Break and enter to steal firearm, Section 98(4) Criminal Code
· Break enter and commit flight from police, Section 348(1(b) Criminal Code
· Break enter and commit theft under $5000, Section 348(1)(b) Criminal Code
· Theft under $5000, Section 334(b) Criminal Code (three counts)
· Break and enter with intent, Section 348(1)(a) Criminal Code
· Obstruct a Peace Officer, Section 129(a) Criminal Code