Edmonton, AB -The RCMP has charged two Alberta men with a long list of criminal offences stemming from a crime spree impacting several Central Alberta communities over the past few days that included theft of vehicles, possession of dangerous weapons, dangerous driving, hit and run, flight from police, and assault of police officer. The men face charges in relation to incidents on Thursday, August 6, 2015 in Rimbey and Rocky Mountain House. One of the men also faces criminal charges in relation to an armed home invasion in Hinton on April 5, 2015. The men are now in custody awaiting to speak to bail.
The men were arrested yesterday by two RCMP officers near Breton, after the officers observed a truck driving at high speeds on Highway 22 about 35 kilometres north of Rocky Mountain House. The RCMP pulled the vehicle over but the truck driver then put his vehicle in reverse and rammed the police patrol car. One of the officer exited the police car and the suspect vehicle then appeared to attempt to run over the standing officer. The officer was unharmed and the driver then took off. The officers were able to pursue the truck which after about 30 minutes came to a stop. The two occupants then fled on foot and were apprehended by the two officers just after noon yesterday. Police found a loaded long barrelled shotgun, stolen property, over $2000.00 in cash, cartons of cigarettes, stolen identification documents including license plates.
The investigation into this incident has also resulted in criminal charges against the two men related to a crime spree in Rimbey in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 6th. At 4:20 a.m. when two men attempted to break-into an ATM outside the downtown Servus Credit Union. At approximately 4:40 a.m. the RCMP was alerted to a break and enter at the ESSO gas station, which was closed at the time. Cash and cigarettes were stolen. Just before 5:00 a.m., Rimbey RCMP received a report of a pick-up truck on fire on the outskirt of Rimbey. The pickup had been stolen earlier that night and believed to be involved in the downtown incidents.
Rimbey is approximately 60 kilometres south of Breton, Alberta.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.