Charges laid after officer is dragged by vehicle

A man has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer after a Mountie investigating a suspicious vehicle was dragged on a road near Cochrane.

Police say an RCMP member with the integrated traffic unit was helping an Alberta sheriff in the investigation of a dangerous driving incident around 2:20 a.m. Saturday.

The driver of the vehicle, accompanied by a female passenger, had stopped at Quigley Drive and Highway 22. But the white GMC Sierra pickup truck suddenly drove forward, dragging the officer on the road.

The officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries and later released. He remains off-duty, recovering. The sheriff was not hurt.

The truck drove into Calgary but police were unable to locate it. After an investigation, police were able to identify a suspect.

Cody Lee Brown, 30, was arrested outside Calgary on Thursday with the help of Cochrane and Strathmore RCMP officers.

Brown was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, assault on a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, possession of property obtained by crime, and two charges under the Traffic Safety Act.

He remains in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 24 in Cochrane.