Medicine Hat Police Service used a drone to locate a suspect in a field on Monday. In this file photo from February, Insp. Brent Secondiak holds one of the drones.--FILE PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Medicine Hat Police Service used a drone to assist in tracking down a suspect on Monday and now two individuals are facing several charges.
On Monday morning at about 11 a.m. a MHPS officer attempted to stop a Dodge pickup truck after the driver failed to stop at a red light.
The officer activated the lights of his cruiser but the driver accelerated rather than pull over. The officer decided not to make further attempts to stop the driver at the time.
Within about eight minutes another officer saw the same truck on the edge of the city and another attempt was made to stop it.
Once again the driver refused to pull over and instead drove into a field just off Highway 3 where the vehicle became stuck. The driver of the truck and his passenger then fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit the driver was arrested by a patrol officer.
It then became apparent that the truck was stolen and had a stolen licence plate as well. Officers on the scene included members of the Redcliff RCMP detachment.
The field where the truck was stuck was then contained in a bid to find the passenger who had fled the scene.
A drone was used to assist until the K9 unit arrived on scene.
In February 2020 MHPS announced that four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, DJI Mavic Pro 2s’) were gifted to them from a “government agency.” The drones would be used for increased efficiency plus public and police safety with limited application.
Before using a UAV in the city, approval is required through Nav Canada – a privately run, not-for-profit corporation that owns and operates Canada’s civil air navigation system, according to online information.
There is a number you have to call to get a flight plan.
Staff Sgt. Rod Thompson says there is an officer on staff who is a licensed pilot and is able to comply with all requirements and file a flight plan very quickly. The average person trying to file a flight plan would probably find it takes much longer.
The UAVs that are used by MHPS can fly at a top speed of 45 miles per hour for up to 31 minutes on a full battery. They have an 8 km range and a wing span of 30 cm. When they were introduced earlier this year MHPS had two officers certified to operate them.
At the scene on the ground on Monday the male passenger of the pickup truck was taken into custody a short time later.
No injuries were sustained by either the suspects or police during the arrest.
Following an investigation a 34-year-old male from Okotoks is in custody facing charges of dangerous driving, evading police and possession of stolen property exceeding $5,000. The second suspect, a 29-year-old male from Invermere, B.C., is also in custody awaiting a bail hearing for several charges, including possession of stolen property over $5,000, outstanding warrants for arrest, and possession of identity documents.
