At approximately 11:05 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2021, Wetaskiwin RCMP noticed a truck with a burnt out headlight travelling in the area of Highway 2A and 36 Ave in Wetaskiwin, Alta.
The officer lost sight of the vehicle but continued to make patrols in an effort to located it again. A short time later the vehicle was located in the area of Township 460 and Highway 2A.
Upon querying the licence pate it was learned that the vehicle was stolen out of Red Deer.
The stolen vehicle was followed from a distance by the RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) with assistance from the Edmonton Police Service Air 1 helicopter—the vehicle was not stopped. Additional resources were also deployed during this time.
The stolen vehicle eventually stopped near the main terminal of Edmonton International Airport.
While police were preparing to approach the vehicle, the suspect left their vehicle and forcibly took a cab by deploying bear spray against the cab driver before fleeing in the cab.
At this time Wetaskiwin RCMP and PDS attempted to apprehend the suspect while outside of their police vehicles. The suspect drove towards the police in the stolen cab at a high speed and did not stop.
No RCMP members were injured as a result of the suspects actions. Police followed the cab in attempt to stop the suspect, however, the stolen cab refused to stop.
Wetaskiwin RCMP and PDS continued to follow the cab until Edmonton Police Service (EPS) took over once the suspect entered into the City of Edmonton.
EPS successfully deployed a tire deflation device and tactically brought the stolen cab to a stop. Three suspects were apprehended by EPS and taken into custody and then turned over to RCMP custody.
All three individuals each were charged with over a dozen offences.
“This was a situation where the actions of these suspects posed a risk to both the public and the police,” says Inspector Keith Durance, Officer in Charge of Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment.
“We are thankful we were able to stop further offences from occurring and successfully apprehend these individuals in partnership with the Edmonton Police Service.”
Joshua Martin William Howse, 33, of Red Deer was charged with 19 offences including:
• Possession of property over $5,000;
• Flight from police (x2);
• Dangerous operation;
• Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon (x3);
• Robbery with a weapon.
Following a judicial hearing, Howse was remanded into custody. His next scheduled court appearance is in Wetaskiwin Provincial court on Nov. 30, 2021.
Lindsey Rae Mazzei, 39, of Red Deer was charged with 15 offence and Amanda Ray Metro, 34, of Red Deer was charged with 13 offences including:
• Possession of property over $5,000;
• Flight from police (x2);
• Dangerous operation;
• Assault of a peace officer with a weapon (x3);
• Robbery with a weapon.
Following a judicial hearing, Mazzei and Metro were remanded into custody and their next scheduled court appearance is in Wetaskiwin Provincial court on Nov. 18, 2021.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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