Man accused of stealing Alberta Sheriffs cruiser while handcuffed

An Alberta Sheriff cruiser is seen in this file photo.

Charges are pending against a man who is accused of stealing an Alberta Sheriffs cruiser and driving it from Gunn, Alta., to Spruce Grove before police were able to stop it during a chase.

Alberta RCMP say the sheriff’s patrol vehicle was stolen by an arrested suspect around 10 p.m. Tuesday. His hands had been handcuffed in front of his body at the time.

Police pursued the vehicle after finding it near Gunn. Police say they used a tire deflation device on the cruiser but its driver did not stop.

As the driver headed into Spruce Grove, Mounties pushed the vehicle into a ditch. The cruiser made it out of the ditch and began driving into oncoming traffic.

RCMP disabled the stolen vehicle by making contact with it.

A 42-year-old man from Spruce Grove was taken to hospital for his injuries. He is facing multiple pending charges, including:

• flight from police;
• escape lawful custody;
• theft of motor vehicle;
• dangerous operation of motor vehicle;
• assault peace officer with weapon;
• unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
• possession of a prohibited / restricted firearm;
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
• mischief over $5,000; and
• fail to comply with release order (x5).

The charges are set to be sworn in before a justice of the peace, but police did not provide a date.