Two youths were brought into custody Monday by Elk Valley RCMP after being alerted by Lethbridge Police that they were travelling in the area in a stolen vehicle.
The suspected driver, a 16-year old male from Lethbridge, reportedly had a missing 15-year female youth in the stolen red Chevy truck.
Police pinged the girl’s cell phone and it notified them the phone was near Elkford.
Elk Valley RCMP located the truck around noon heading south on Highway 43, the officer attempted to stop the vehicle but it turned right onto Matevic Road.
The vehicle was able to evade a spike belt and went back toward Elkford, police did not pursue given the circumstances.
An officer was able to make contact with both youths later while on foot and convinced them to surrender.
An investigation is ongoing, see more information from Elk Valley RCMP below:
On November 20, 2023 at approximately 11:55 AM, Elk Valley Regional RCMP was notified by Lethbridge Police Service of a stolen vehicle in this area. Lethbridge Police report that two youths were suspected of occupying a red Chevy truck with a black headache rack. The suspected driver, a 16 year old male from Lethbridge, reportedly had a missing 15 year old youth female with him in the truck. As a result, Lethbridge Police had pinged the cell phone of the girl and it notified them the phone was coming back to the Elkford area.
Officers immediately patrolled toward Elkford and found the vehicle travelling southbound on Highway 43. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it made a right hand turn down Matevic Road. That officer then deployed a spike belt across the exit to Matevic Road as other officers arrived to assist. Officers traveled up Matevic Road and came across the vehicle, which accelerated by them toward the officer with the spike belt. The vehicle evaded that officer as well and went back north toward Elkford. Officers did not pursue the vehicle given the circumstances. Once officers reached Lower Elk Valley Road and Highway 43, they split up and a short drive later along the Lower Elk Valley Road, the vehicle was located in the ditch, stuck after leaving the roadway. There was no damage to the truck and driving evidence along the roadway further indicated that the vehicle had been operated in a manner which placed the general public at great risk.
An astute officer was able to shortly thereafter make contact with the youths while they were on foot and convinced them to surrender to Police. Due to further information received, both youths are currently in custody awaiting guardians to arrive to the Sparwood area. Anyone with information or dash camera video regarding the driving behaviour of the red Chevy truck with a black headache rack sporting an Alberta licence plate of BXH2789 is asked to please contact the Elk Valley Regional RCMP at 250-425-6233 to speak with an officer or contact BC Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS(8477) if they wish to remain anonymous. Please refer to file 2023-3743. Our investigation is ongoing.
– Article includes statement from Elk Valley RCMP
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