Red Deer RCMP have arrested a man and a woman with the help of Police Dog Services after they were located driving an SUV that had been stolen out of the West Park neighbourhood this morning.

At 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 17th, a blue Ford Edge was stolen from a residence in West Park when the owner left it unlocked and idling briefly while running back into their home. RCMP located the stolen vehicle at approximately 2 p.m. the same afternoon as it was driven by a male suspect through the South Hill neighbourhood in the area of 51st St.

When police initiated a traffic stop, the suspect vehicle refused to stop, colliding with the police vehicle and causing minor damage to it before fleeing the scene. RCMP did not pursue the vehicle due to public safety concerns, but located it again in the Riverlands neighbourhood, where it had been abandoned. RCMP contained the area and apprehended the male suspect thanks to the work of Police Dog Services. The female passenger was arrested a short time afterward in the West Park neighbourhood.

The 31-year-old male suspect was wanted on 10 outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest and will face additional charges as a result of this incident. Charges are also pending against the female passenger. RCMP will not be releasing their names until those charges have been sworn before the courts.

– Fawcett