Barrhead RCMP - Police pursuit of stolen tractor ends in arrest

Two people are in custody following a suspicious person complaint that led to RCMP from Barrhead pursing a stolen tractor.

At 1:45 pm on October 28, Barrhead RCMP responded to a complaint of suspicious persons at a rural property in the Tiger Lily area, northwest of Barrhead. On arrival, officers learned that a man and woman had arrived at the property driving a stolen vehicle and had left on foot after police were called. Patrols were made of the area and a man and woman matching the description of the suspects were located walking on Highway 655. Both suspects fled from police and the female was apprehended after a short foot chase.

The male suspect evaded arrest and travelled through the bush, eventually stealing a tractor from a farmers field. Officers located the tractor and the male again fled from police, this time driving the stolen tractor. Officers attempted to set up a road block at which time the suspect used the front end loader to ram and disable a police vehicle. Barrhead RCMP requested additional resources from Westlock and Mayerthorpe and alerted oncoming motorists of the oncoming machinery. After approximately 45 minutes, the suspect attempted to avoid another roadblock by driving into the ditch where the tractor got stuck and the man was arrested.

41-year-old Amber Lorraine Smith of Mayerthorpe has been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and resisting arrest. She has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to make her first appearance on November 1 in Westlock Provincial Court.

41-year-old Craig Morris Benson of Mayerthorpe has been charged with Assaulting a Peace Officer, Resist Arrest, Theft over $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Flight From Police, Mischief and Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident. He has also been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear on November 14 in Barrhead Provincial Court.