Injured Mountie’s condition unknown

The condition of an RCMP officer who underwent surgery Tuesday after being run over by a stolen truck is unknown, an RCMP spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The officer was seriously injured following a confrontation at a property north of Tofield that began Monday night and ended early Tuesday.

Five Mounties from Tofield, Vegreville and Two Hills were searching for a suspect in a series of rural break-and-enters and thefts. They went to a farmhouse near Range Road 192 and Township Road 522 to question a man and woman, and later found the suspect inside a shed on the property.

Police attempted to make an arrest and a physical altercation occurred, then a gunfight, as the man tried to flee in a one-tonne Dodge truck and an RCMP officer was driven over. Another officer was treated after a bullet grazed his upper arm.

The officer who was run over had broken bones and internal injuries and was scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday morning.

RCMP spokeswoman Josee Valiquette said Wednesday there was no update available on the officer’s condition. She said the suspect, who was taken to hospital early Tuesday with gunshot wounds, was still receiving medical attention.

Police said Tuesday they expect to lay charges, likely three counts of attempted murder and weaponsrelated offences, when the suspect’s medical condition improves.