A wanted man was apprehended on July 29 thanks to a coordinated effort between St. Paul RCMP, Elk Point RCMP, and the Eastern Alberta District General Investigation Section (EAD GIS), Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU), and Bonnyville RCMP.
On July 29, a wanted male was spotted by EAD GIS leaving an apartment building in St. Paul, in a vehicle.
"Once in a rural area east of St. Paul, EADRCRU members attempted to stop the vehicle, which then fled on Highway 29. A high-speed pursuit occurred, which mobilized surrounding RCMP detachments to help with efforts to stop the fleeing vehicle," reads an RCMP media release. "A spike belt was deployed by an Elk Point RCMP member, which deflated the front tires of the fleeing vehicle."
“As soon as we heard the pursuit was coming our way, we organized to quickly get in position to stop this offender," said Sgt. David Henry of the Elk Point RCMP.
The pursuit soon came to an end and the vehicle became immobilized in a ditch off of Highway 41. The wanted male was then arrested.
“Once again, teamwork was absolutely the key to our success in apprehending this offender," said Cst. Guillaume Wilson with EADRCRU. “I’d like to also thank members of the public who ensured to pull over on the highway and give space to emergency vehicles involved in the pursuit. This was a great example of the community coming together to help the police stop a dangerous offender.”
Tyrone Mercury Shirt (32) of Saddle Lake was charged with multiple offences, including:
- Flight from police
- Operating a motor vehicle while prohibited
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of a weapon contrary to an order
- Failing to comply with a recognizance (X4)
Shirt was also wanted for multiple offences stemming from other incidents. Those charges included:
- Breaking and entering
- Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon (X2)
- Failing to attend court
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Flight from police
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle
- Resisting a peace officer (X2)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (X2)
- Possession of a firearm contrary to an order (X4)
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (X2)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (X2)
- Failing for comply with a recognizance
Shirt is being held in custody following a bail hearing and was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 1, in St. Paul.
