Traffic stop leads to arrests and recovery of stolen property

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, shortly after 9:00 pm, Mackenzie RCMP observe a vehicle on the side of Highway 39 with the four way flashers activated.

The officer attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle to ensure they were not in need of assistance. As the officer approached the vehicle, it fled from the police. An Alberta license plate on the vehicle was confirmed to be stolen and linked to a reported car-jacking out of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Police saw vehicle drive into the opposite lane of travel. While there was no oncoming traffic and with public safety in mind, police ceased any attempts to stop the vehicle.

Police made patrols for the vehicle and located the vehicle parked on Highway 97 at the Windy point pull out. As police once again approached the vehicle, it took off, headed directly towards another police car. The police car was able to avoid the vehicle however the suspect vehicle rolled over into the ditch.

Two occupants were arrested without further incident and one person was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The other person did not appear to be injured.

The driver, an adult man, could face several charges including flight from police, possession of stolen property and prohibited driving and has been released on an undertaking for a future court date. The passenger, an adult woman, was arrested for possession of stolen property and later released on an appearance notice.

The investigation remains active.