Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On May 5, 2025 at approximately 3:05 p.m., Olds RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious male carrying two chainsaws who ran towards a U-Haul vehicle, jumped in it and then dangerously fled the area.
RCMP officers located the U-Haul vehicle and attempted to stop it on Highway 587 when it drove into the Red Lodge Provincial Park entrance/exit gate, damaging the gate. Innisfail and Didsbury RCMP, as well as Police Dog Services, also responded to the area to attempt to locate and stop the vehicle.
At 3:44 p.m., Olds RCMP received another complaint that a farmer’s land was damaged, along with other wire fencing on several properties. The U-Haul was located on Range Road 12 and Highway 587, with the female driver walking southbound on Range Road 12, away from the U-Haul. RCMP quickly arrested the driver and continued a search for other suspects who were inside the U-Haul. A short time later, neighbours and residents of the area assisted the RCMP with information leading to the arrest of the outstanding suspects. RCMP conducted a search of the U-Haul and found stolen property, including a tool bag, as well as the two stolen chainsaws.
A 52-year-old individual, a resident of Wetaskiwin, Alta., was arrested and charged with the following:
- Mischief Under $5000
- Possession of Stolen Property
- Flight from a peace officer
- Dangerous operation
- Trafficking Identity
Following a judicial interim release hearing, the 52-year-old individual was released from custody to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on June 2, 2025.
Olds RCMP remains fully committed in building safer communities by working in partnership with our community as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal. Olds RCMP would like to thank neighbouring RCMP detachments who assisted during this operation as well as the members of the public. The investigation continues.
If you have any further information you can contact Olds RCMP at 403-556-3324, If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.