CANMORE – Canmore RCMP have a 36-year-old Calgary man in custody after he fled from a break and enter and led officers on a high speed chase through the community.
The incident began at approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 4) after police were called to a residence in Harvie Heights for a break and enter.
Sgt. Stanton Andronyk said the suspect was inside when the resident came home and discovered him inside, at which point the suspect brandished a weapon.
The suspect fled the residence in a stolen Toyota Camry, but police were able to locate the vehicle on Harvie Heights Road thanks to a description and licence plate from the witness, Andronyk added.
Officers pulled the vehicle over near the Visitor Information Centre, but then it took off at a high speed and a pursuit was initiated. Andronyk said the suspect vehicle drove erratically through residential areas of Canmore and then back onto the highway at high speeds.
RCMP continued the pursuit eastbound on the highway, however by the time they passed the rock cut near Lac des Arcs the decision was made to change the strategy being used as the pattern of driving was a risk to public safety.
“In these incidents we make efforts to balance the risk of harm to the public versus the nature of the emergent situation,” Andronyk said. “We do a continuous risk assessment and balance the risk to the public and what is the risk to the public if this person is not apprehended immediate.
“During these instances public safety is always of paramount importance to us.”
The suspect lost control of the vehicle near Hermitage Road and a police service dog assisted with his immediate apprehension.
The suspect was taken to hospital to be treated for non-serious injuries. The investigation is still underway, Andronyk said, and multiple charges are expected.
