City man facing several charges following incidents in Coaldale and Taber

A Lethbridge man has been arrested and is facing several charges following an incident which began near Coaldale on Thursday.

At about 6:15 p.m. Thursday, the Taber Police Service was advised of a possible assault and abduction involving the occupants of an older model Olds Cutlass near Coaldale.

Taber Police then received a second 911 call advising the caller was in an interaction with the driver of the Cutlass in the Town of Taber and observed a person with a plastic bag covering their head and upper torso, in the passenger seat, who looked in distress. At the same time, Taber Police located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it, at which point the vehicle fled at high speeds, according to a release from the Taber Police Service.

Police pursued the vehicle due to the potential seriousness of the abduction. The vehicle attempted to ram police and managed to get away, but was recovered later in the evening.

The investigation revealed the suspect and the victim were driven to Lethbridge by a third party. Taber and Lethbridge Police are continuing to attempt to locate the victim.

The suspect and victim are believed to be known to each other and that this was not a random act.

Sean Horvath, 42, of Lethbridge has been charged with: flight from police; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; driving while prohibited; assault with a weapon; and breaching a release order.

A warrant was issued for Horvath and police are continuing to investigate and Taber Police said further charges may be laid.