Men charged after vehicles damaged, officer hurt

Lethbridge Police have charged two men following an incident on the weekend in which a police officer was injured and three vehicles damaged.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday police noticed a traffic violation and attempted to stop a vehicle. The vehicle began driving erratically along icy roads where it struck a parked vehicle in the 300 block of 12 B Street North. The officer used his cruiser to pin the vehicle against a tree to prevent it from leaving and putting members of the public at risk.

The driver continued to attempt to rock the vehicle to break free, and even when additional officers arrived to help, the driver continued to try and free his vehicle, damaging two police vehicles in the process. He also disobeyed police commands to turn off the engine and exit.

Police fired a sock round at the vehicle, which caused the driver to stop moving his vehicle. But he resisted arrest and an officer sustained minor injuries to his hand.

Further investigation determined the driver was wanted on numerous warrants and the passenger was in breach of conditions. The licence plate had also been stolen.

Jyi Mickell Trotter, 37, of Lethbridge, is charged with flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, two counts of resisting a police officer, assaulting a police officer with a weapon, failing to

stop at an accident, and possession of stolen property.

Trotter was remanded in custody to appear in court today.

John Elvis Jones, 25, of Lethbridge, is charged with breaching the conditions of recognizance. He was released from custody to appear in court Nov. 27.