RCMP make several arrests, lay charges

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
The Claresholm RCMP made several arrests and laid charges last week.
The police announced that on May 5, Claresholm and Nanton RCMP, with the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog Services, High River Traffic Services Unit, and the Southern Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, initiated a crime reduction initiative called Operation Street Sweep. The initiative included a concerted effort to locate wanted persons on warrants, conduct conditions compliance checks on prolific offenders, and suppress crime and aggressive drivers.
As a result of the operation:
• A 42-year-old female from Claresholm was arrested on 14 outstanding warrants of arrest, and remanded into custody by a justice of the peace.
• A 40-year-old male from Nanton was arrested on 26 outstanding warrants of arrest, and was remanded into custody by a justice of the peace.
• A 48-year-old female from Nanton was arrested on one outstanding warrant of arrest and awaits a bail hearing.
• A 47-year-old male from Claresholm was arrested on one outstanding warrant of arrest and was released to appear in provincial court.
During the operation, police also received reports of a known prolific offender operating a motor vehicle contrary to release conditions.
RCMP members attempted to stop the vehicle which fled from police, but soon became stuck in a rural area northwest of Claresholm. The driver fled into a wooded area on foot. The RCMP police service dog “Monty” was deployed and, after a four-hour search of the rural area, the suspect was located.
A 59-year-old male from Claresholm was arrested and charged with the following charges:
1) Flight from police;
2) Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
3) Three counts of failure to comply with a release order;
4) Driving an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway;
5) Driving a motor vehicle with no licence;
6) Driving a motor vehicle with improper use of a licence plate;
7) Driving a motor vehicle with no registration.
The accused currently awaits a bail hearing.
In addition to arrests, RCMP officers conducted several “conditions compliance checks” resulting in no charges.
RCMP also issued eight traffic violation notices including one for speeding at 172 kilometres per hour and another for speeding at 180 kilometres per hour, both on Highway 2.
RCMP state crime prevention and police operations continue to be a priority and encourage the public to report all suspicious and criminal activities.
If you have any information regarding criminal activity, please contact the Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445, or your local police service. 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.