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Man arrested in Red Deer following earlier incident

A man accused of trying to run down Red Deer Mounties while making a getaway amid police gunfire in May has been arrested after a province-wide RCMP operation.

A man accused of trying to run down Red Deer Mounties while making a getaway amid police gunfire in May has been arrested after a province-wide RCMP operation.

Steven Lagace, 24, was arrested in Red Deer Friday afternoon by the RCMP and its emergency response team. Police allege Lagace was in possession of a stolen GMC 3500 diesel pickup when he was arrested on 29 outstanding warrants. His girlfriend Carly Phair, 21, was also arrested on 14 outstanding warrants.

After picking up the pair, police also got a search warrant for a property near Coronation where Lagace was staying. Police seized firearms, four stolen Ford F350 pickups, four quads, a motorcycle and dirt bike, a holiday trailer and other stolen property.

“Police are continuing their investigation, and further arrests of other individuals are expected,” said RCMP spokeswoman Const. Kathe DeHeer Saturday.

Lagace faces 13 charges in connection with the May 7 incident in Glendale including assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, criminal flight from police and dangerous driving. He also faces numerous property-related offences.

The dramatic escape happened about 12:30 a.m. when two plainclothes police officers tried to arrest Lagace on a stolen property charge near the Express 24 in Glendale, in the city’s north end.

Before the officers could handcuff Lagace he climbed into a nearby pickup and took off. Police allege he tried to run down the officers as he was making his escape.

“As a result, police discharged their sidearms in an effort to stop the action,” said an RCMP release at the time.

Police did not say how many shots were fired, but the pickup was damaged. It was found abandoned a short distance away.

A dog unit was called in but Lagace could not be found.

RCMP warned the public at the time not to approach the six-foot-two (1.88 metre), 245-pound (110 kg) Lagace because was considered dangerous. If spotted, police recommended calling 911.

“This individual has caused a lot of grief for police,” said DeHeer. “Some of the things he has allegedly done previously have been very dangerous.”

The investigation also involved police or RCMP from Coronation, Drumheller, Camrose, Stettler, Calgary, and Edmonton. RCMP Air Services also was involved.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com