Matthew Myles Moyah pleaded his case for bail in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse, but his criminal record and the charges he faces kept him behind bars.
Moyah has been charged with flight from police, obstructing a police officer, and failing to comply with probation, after an incident in Sherwood Park on Aug. 1.
It was 2:47 p.m. when an officer conducting patrols ran the license plate of a black truck. When the plate came back as expired, the police officer attempted to pull over the truck, which sped up. The officer kept up to the truck, but terminated the pursuit shortly after.
The vehicle was later spotted and police initiated another pursuit.
After losing the truck for a brief period, another officer found the vehicle "almost on its side," and damaged, described Crown prosecutor Tyler MacLean.
Three suspects fled the truck, two of which were apprehended. The third suspect, identified by the two arrested as Moyah, escaped.
During a search of the truck, which was confirmed stolen, police found items not confirmed to be owned by any of the suspects, as well as a replica firearm and four masks.
According to MacLean, at the time of the offence, Moyah was on probation after being convicted in June of flight from police, breaching conditions, and driving while disqualified. He was sentenced to 125 days in custody and 18 months of probation.
Moyah is also facing charges including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, careless use/storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm contrary to a court order, possession of a firearm with intent, possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon, possession of a firearm knowing the serial number had been altered, use of an imitation firearm, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
These charges stem from Moyah's arrest on Aug. 20 in the Elk Point RCMP detachment area.
MacLean explained how the Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), Cold Lake Police Dog Services (PDS), and Elk Point RCMP were involved in the arrest of multiple individuals.
It was 3:10 p.m. when EADRCRU, PDS, and members of the RCMP attended a rural Elk Point address to locate a truck and suspects known to attend the area.
What they found was a vehicle that matched the description parked on the property. Among the four suspects standing nearby was Moyah, who was wanted on outstanding warrants.
Although the truck wasn't the vehicle officers had been searching for originally, it was confirmed it had been reported stolen out of Kitscoty on Aug. 7.
Police searched the vehicle and found a loaded sawed-off shotgun, an imitation handgun, and an aerosol can of bear mace.
The suspects were arrested.
The property owner provided a statement to police, where he said he knew Moyah from when he was a kid. The resident is a vehicle mechanic and had offered to sell them parts, not knowing the truck was stolen.
At the time of both of his most recent offences, Moyah was on a 10-year firearms prohibition after being convicted of kidnapping and robbery in August 2016.
The Crown was opposed to Moyah's release during his appearance in court on Tuesday, Aug. 27, on the primary and secondary grounds, however, Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams added the tertiary grounds to the list, noting the safety of the public is a concern.
Williams denied Moyah release after listening to MacLean list the accused's criminal record, which includes five prior failing to appear in court convictions. flight from police, property-related offences, robbery, and kidnapping, among others.
MacLean stressed that based on Moyah's record and current charges, it's clear he has no respect for court orders.
Acting duty counsel Andrew Cheng, noted there are triable issues and Moyah denies the Sherwood Park allegations altogether, stating "he was nowhere near Sherwood Park on Aug. 1."
Regardless of what may come to light at trial, Williams said, the onus was on Moyah to prove he should be released from custody, which he failed to do.
During Williams' decision, she explained how stolen vehicles, firearms, and running from police are becoming more common in the area, and are a big concern for the court.
"He has a serious record. He's facing serious charges and allegations that are becoming more and more frequent in our area."
With the safety of the public, Moyah's likelihood to reoffend, and the current charges against him in mind, Williams denied his release on all grounds.
His next court appearance is today (Aug. 28) in Sherwood Park, where he will speak to the charges that stem from that area. The Elk Point-related offences will have Moyah appear in St. Paul court on Thursday, Sept. 19.
