A Red Deer man is dead after he tried to stop thieves from jacking his truck early Wednesday morning.
Police confirmed that Dawson D.J. Wegner Cramer, 23, was killed as he attempted to prevent two men from stealing his white Ford F-650 in the Normandeau neighbourhood.
“We believe he was struck by the truck when suspects drove away,” said Red Deer RCMP Supt. Scott Tod at a news conference. “An autopsy was completed today by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Calgary and it was determined that the injuries sustained by the victim were consistent with having been hit by a vehicle. It is those injuries that resulted in the death of Mr. Wegner Cramer.”
Wegner Cramer was found in distress at an alley behind Nordegg Crescent around 4:54 a.m. The 23-year-old was taken to hospital where he later died.
Tod said police received a 911 report of an erratic driver in a white cube truck leaving the scene at 31 Nordegg Crescent at 4:53 a.m.
Shortly after police responded to a report of a suspicious white truck that had been parked on Page Avenue in the Pines neighbourhood. Two suspects were seen running from the abandoned vehicle into a wooded area off of the street.
The Calgary RCMP Major Crimes Unit is now investigating with help from Red Deer RCMP specialized units. Investigators were combing both scenes for clues on Wednesday.
Specific details about the incidents have not been released because the case is currently under investigation.
But police are now appealing to the public for information about the theft or the abandonment of the white truck.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a white F-650 driving erratically between 4:50 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. in the area of Nordegg Crescent, Nolan Street, Page Avenue, Gaetz Avenue and 76 Street.
Tod, who did not speak specifically about this case, said there have been incidents in Red Deer and other parts of the province where the owner tries to get involved.
“I appreciate it is the first reaction people have especially if they have been victimized previously, it is a dangerous road to go down,” he said. “It is unfortunate that we see that these offenders will use violence or try to escape and people get injured. Thankfully it is not that common but we urge people not to take the law into their own hands to try and prevent theft.”
If you have any information about this matter, please the Red Deer City RCMP Detachment at 403-343-5575, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com