Two awaiting hearing after police chase and lockdowns

RCMP officials say two men are now awaiting formal charges and  hearings to determine if they will be released or remanded until their expected first court appearances.

RCMP media relations Const. Mike Hibbs says the two men, whose names have yet to be released by police, are currently at the Lac La Biche RCMP holding cells awaiting formal charges to be issued and a decision from a justice of the peace about their pre-court conditions.

If the decision is to hold the men until their first court appearance, they could be transferred to the Edmonton Remand Centre to await their court date.

Hibbs said the two, who were the subjects of a three-hour police chase on Nov. 22, that saw a pickup truck speeding through residential and business streets of the Lac La Biche hamlet, as well as a forced lockdown at the Lac La Biche campus of Portage College and a 'Hold and Secure' order placed on students in five area schools, are facing several charges.  He expected the charges to be made official in the next day.

Until then, and while much of the incident is still being investigated, he said the RCMP has no new information to release on the file.

When asked if police intentionally rammed the suspect vehicle, forcing the occupants to run, Hibbs said he couldn't comment. When asked if he could say where the suspect who reportedly fled on foot into Portage College was found, he said he couldn't comment.

"It's all part of the investigation right now," he said.

The POST will have any updates when police release further details.

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