A number of police forces got together and stopped a stolen truck on Friday morning (October 5) but not before it led them on a pursuit and forced a number of other drivers to take to the ditch to avoid it.  

Just after 7:00 am Friday, Beiseker RCMP responded to several reports of a suspicious vehicle.  A truck, covered in mud was seen spinning its tires in the community of Acme.  

Police were then told that the truck was travelling eastbound down Highway 567 driving in the opposing lane, forcing drivers into the ditch to avoid colliding with it.  

RCMP Constable Patrick Lambert says the police found out the truck had been stolen and they moved in, trying to box it in.

"The driver tried to put the truck in reverse trying to flee the scene and also trying to strike the marked police vehicles."  The police reversed as well and were able to avoid a collision.

Lambert says that's when the RCMP asked for some help.  "Members of the Three Hills RCMP detachment, Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit, and Calgary Police HAWCS air support were all called in to assist.  Recognizing at that point that the suspect was making efforts to try and flee, we put the assistance to our partners in the air to help locate that vehicle."

Lambert explains that between the air search and searching on the ground the truck was found after it had struck a farmer's fence.  The 21-year-old driver was taken into custody without further incident.

"Bryan Lawrence Moffat has been arrested and charged for a number of offenses, some of which were as a result of the behaviour and offenses committed on October 5th, but also for the number of conditions that he was on release for, related to previous possession of stolen property."

Those charges include:

  • Operating a motor vehicle while being pursued by a peace officer 
  • Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle
  • Possession of Stolen Property exceeding $5,000
  • Mischief to property not exceeding $5,000 
  • Operation of a motor vehicle while disqualified 
  • Possession of ammunition while prohibited (x2)
  • Failing to comply with conditions of recognizance 

Moffatt is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Calgary on October 9th, 2018.

Lambert says the RCMP want to thank the public who initially reported the truck's erratic behaviour and got the RCMP involved in a successful arrest.  

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