Former Hatter nabbed by RCMP near Hanna over alleged crime spree

By City Desk on January 26, 2019.

Medicine Hat News

A former Medicine Hat man imprisoned six years ago for a local crime spree, has been arrested again after a police chase that began near Brooks and ended near Hanna, the RCMP reported Friday.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 17, members of the Hanna RCMP detachment were advised by Brooks-based officers that a truck was heading north after its driver refused to stop for police. Shortly thereafter, police allege, they began receiving public complaints about fuel thefts and the theft of a second truck near Scapa, north of Hanna.

A release states that rural residents found the second truck being used to pull the other out of a snow bank. Two shots were fired in the air by a resident as a warning. No one was injured. Police arrived shortly, seized the vehicles and other property believed to be stolen and arrested two men and a woman.

Charged with theft and property offences are Jesse James Den Hollander, 36, whose address is listed as Sherwood Park, Jimmy Delane Morsette, 30, of Red Deer, and Angela Lewis, 19, of Ponoka.

Den Hollander was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2013 after pleading guilty to a dozen thefts from hotels and businesses in Medicine Hat.

He is in custody and next scheduled to appear Hanna Provincial Court on April 23 to deal with new allegations.

Morsette will appear at that location on Feb. 8, and Lewis, who is free on conditions, on Feb 27.

The RCMP are also cautioning people to not approach or pursue persons suspected of criminal activity due to the potential danger.