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Updated: Police dog unit vehicle hit by shots during chase

Two men facing numerous charges appearing in Red Deer court on Monday
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Local RCMP arrested two suspects after a lengthy pursuit through multiple municipalities. (RCMP Logo)

Two men are facing numerous charges after an RCMP dog unit truck was hit by rounds allegedly fired at them during a police chase.

No one was injured by the shots, which were fired as police tried to pull over a stolen vehicle late Wednesday or early Thursday in a rural area east of Lacombe.

The drama began about 11 p.m. last Wednesday when Sylvan Lake RCMP got a tip from the Calgary Police Service that a stolen vehicle was in their area.

The vehicle was later seen speeding through the Lacombe area before being spotted by Blackfalds RCMP. Police tried unsuccessfully to pull the vehicle over and it sped off. RCMP pursued it for a short time before calling off the chase.

Later, the vehicle was seen again and police deployed a spike belt. The suspects drove on to a rural property east of Lacombe, ditched their vehicle and allegedly stole another.

Another chase followed and the “involved police dog services truck was struck by bullet rounds believed to be discharged from the suspects in the stolen truck,” said RCMP. “No police or public were hit by any of the bullets.”

RCMP’s emergency response team was called in and the vehicle was tracked to the Erskine area. While police waited, they got word that two vehicles had been stolen from a property nearby.

Spike belts were brought out again and both stolen vehicles were stopped near Highway 12 and Range Road 20-2. Two suspects were taken into custody about 3:50 a.m.

A search of the vehicles turned up a firearm that had been reported stolen during a previous home invasion.

Kenton Charles Butters, 31, who was unlawfully at large and wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, is facing 20 charges, including dicharging a firearm with intent to injure, assault with a weapon, truck theft, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, possession of a dangerous weapon.

Alexander Michael Talbot, 28, is facing four charges, including truck theft, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Both Butters and Talbot are scheduled to appear in Red Deer court on Monday for bail hearings.

Butters is also facing charges in connection with an Aug. 10 home invasion near Caroline around 10:30 a.m.

Rocky Mountain House RCMP got a 911 call that a number of people had gone into a residence and assaulted two occupants before fleeing with stolen firearms.

RCMP searched the area but could not find the suspects. The search for remaining suspects continues.

Anyone with information should contact their local police detachment. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.



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Byron Hackett

About the Author: Byron Hackett

Byron has been the sports reporter at the advocate since December of 2016. He likes to spend his time in cold hockey arenas accompanied by luke warm, watered down coffee.
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