Freedom brief for RCMP prisoner
MAN APPREHENDED 20 MINUTES AFTER ESCAPING CUSTODY
A man is back in police custody after briefly escaping custody from the RCMP in downtown Lethbridge Friday afternoon.
Just before 3 p.m. Friday, a 46-yearold man, who was under arrest for numerous property crimes, was being escorted to the north door of the Coaldale Rural RCMP Detachment, located in Lethbridge at 427 Stafford Drive South.
The prisoner was handcuffed from the rear, but was able to free one of his wrists from the cuffs and bolted on foot from the escorting RCMP officer. The prisoner crossed Stafford Drive with numerous RCMP members in foot pursuit. The prisoner proceeded to an apartment building a few blocks away on 8 Street South where a relative resides and entered the building.
Lethbridge Police Service members were alerted and responded quickly to the area to assist RCMP members.
A search of the complex was initiated by both police services, according to a Coaldale RCMP release. The escaped prisoner was located in his relative’s apartment and apprehended by LPS members.
At the time of the arrest the prisoner grabbed a weapon and threatened police officers. A Taser was then successfully deployed and he was taken back into custody. No one was injured in the arrest.
The prisoner was taken to the Chinook Regional Hospital for an assessment, released and then lodged at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre to await a judicial interim release hearing.
Charges are pending in both jurisdictions.
Additional charges based on his escape will be added including escape lawful custody, possession of a weapon and assaulting a police officer. This prisoner was out of police custody for about 20 minutes.
An internal RCMP review of the prisoner escape will be conducted.