Two women charged after SUV chase

Two women face charges following an alleged carjacking and assault in connection with multiple incidents that began with a suspicious person complaint in Sylvan Lake and finished with a collision in Red Deer.

Sylvan Lake RCMP were called Wednesday just after 8:45 a.m. about two females, believed to be intoxicated, who were in a rural ditch. Witnesses alleged they were dropped off by a male driving a truck that had driven through a fence.

The truck, a 1997 Ford F-150, was found abandoned and on fire in a nearby field. The Eckville fire department attended the scene and extinguished the vehicle fire.

Witnesses later told Mounties that one woman had been assaulted and her vehicle, a Dodge Durango, was stolen. RCMP police dog services, Rocky Mountain House RCMP and RCMP air services attended the scene to assist.

The Dodge Durango was seen travelling eastbound quickly on Highway 11. The vehicle was then seen entering Red Deer, driving erratically on Highway 2. Red Deer RCMP began a pursuit, but called it off “in the interest of public safety.”

The vehicle struck two vehicles at 51st Avenue and 48th Street, then continued northbound in the southbound lanes of 51st Avenue, before turning west on 59th Avenue.

Travelling into oncoming traffic, the vehicle struck a van. Two women exited the vehicle and attempted to steal the van.

Police detained and arrested both women. No injuries were reported during that incident.

Sylvan Lake RCMP later recovered the Ford F-150, which was allegedly stolen out of the Rocky Mountain House area. Two prohibited firearms were found abandoned in the area, police say.

A second vehicle, a 2007 grey Chevrolet Silverado, was allegedly stolen from a nearby home and remains missing. Mounties believe that the male who allegedly dropped off the female suspects stole that vehicle from a nearby property.

Chelsea Crowley, 27, and Brianna Crookledlegs, 20, were each charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of possession of a weapon without holding a licence, two counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm and one count of robbery. Crowley faces an additional five counts of breach of recognizance. Both women are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.