Strathmore RCMP have released photos and video of an arrest after a vehicle was stolen near the Travelodge in Strathmore with a five month old baby inside.

The Strathmore RCMP Commander says police do not normally advise the public to chase or follow stolen vehicles because it creates a high risk situation where everyone involved could be seriously injured or worse but this situation was different.

“I would like to thank our community member who stopped to provide assistance and helped to relay valuable information to our responding members. This is a strong example of a close community looking out for each other. I am thankful we were able to reunite the child with their family and that nobody was hurt.” –Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz

The 9-1-1 call came in Sunday at 10:24 p.m. when a family, stopped for a break, with the baby inside the vehicle, were standing outside – beside the vehicle – and a man wearing a reflective vest jumped into the driver seat and sped away. One family member flagged down a passing vehicle and followed while relaying information to RCMP dispatch.

Calgary Police, Strathmore RCMP and the Calgary Police helicopter gave pursuit with the vehicle travelling at high rates of speed before entering onto Highway 1 Westbound reaching speeds over 160kmph.

The suspect stopped on a highway overpass, took the baby out of the vehicle and put the infant on the side of the road then jumped back in and sped away. An RCMP officer scooped up the baby who was reunited a short time later by the family member who’d flagged down a good Samaritan to follow his abducted baby.

The suspect got stuck when he tried to get around a gate at a new development near Chestermere and took off on foot but was quickly arrested.  Tejinder Brar, 27 years old, of Calgary is facing numerous charges including child abduction and theft of a motor vehicle.

You can see the video of the baby being returned here: STRATHMORE RCMP-20220604