A Calgary man accused of stealing a pickup truck and then leading Innisfail-area sheriffs on a wild chase up a gravel road will be in court Tuesday to answer a hefty load of charges.
Const. Steve Molnar with the Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit said motorists travelling on Hwy 2 alerted police to an erratic driver heading north near Innisfail shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Callers said the dark blue pickup truck was speeding, swerving and had gone in and out of the ditch at least twice, said Molnar.
Alberta Sheriffs were notified and attempted to stop the truck, which took off down a gravel road at speeds exceeding 160 km/h.
Police vehicles were unable to keep up with the fleeing truck and lost track of it until just before 11 a.m., when Innisfail RCMP were contacted by someone reporting suspicious activities on Range Road 284.
Police allege that the suspect got stuck on a hill after trying to drive through a field. Unsuccessful in getting the truck loose on his own, he had gone for help and ended up calling a tow truck.
Innisfail RCMP were called to the scene, alleging that the suspect took off on foot when they arrived.
A man was chased down and collared, after which police determined that the pickup truck had been reported stolen in Calgary.
Calgary resident Kenneth Robert Nepoose, 20, is being held in custody until his court appearance, set for Red Deer provincial court.
Charges against Nepoose include possession of stolen property worth more than $5,000, theft, fleeing police, having care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired, driving while unauthorized and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.