A 40-year-old man from Longview, Alberta was arrested Wednesday at the CrossIron Mills Mall after ramming a police vehicle the previous day and narrowly missing an officer in the process.

The original incident happened Tuesday.   Airdrie RCMP were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle in a field by Township Road 273A and Dickson Steven Trail.  When police arrived, the suspect vehicle fled the scene, ramming a police vehicle and coming very close to an officer who was forced to jump out of the way.  A pursuit ensued but due to the high rates of speed and dangerous road conditions caused by snow, it was ended.  The officer was not injured.

Wednesday (October 3) at around 12:45 pm, Corporal Gina Slaney says a tip to police led the Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit to CrossIron Mills where the stolen truck that was used to ram the police vehicle was recovered, unoccupied. 

Slaney says members of the Airdrie CRU, Airdrie GIS and the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Team located the suspect inside the mall.

"We worked with all the units and tried to make it as safe as we could, due to the potential for violence.  Luckily, he was arrested without incident, a minor foot chase but no injuries and no was hurt.  It was a very successful arrest."

Robert Fox of Longview is facing 10 charges, including the following:

  • Assault with a weapon
  • Operation of a Motor Vehicle while being pursued by Police 
  • Resists/Obstructs a public officer 
  • Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 

Slaney says Fox has been remanded into custody and will appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on October 9th.

The Airdrie RCMP is recognizing the work of the CrossIron Mills Mall security personnel for their quick response which aided the Airdrie RCMP in the safe apprehension of a dangerous suspect.  

Slaney says, "The Sergeant who was in charge of this whole incident-arrest yesterday definitely wanted mention made to the security staff.  They were very helpful in this situation."

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