A man who sped through a residential neighbourhood in a stolen truck on Saturday, before abandoning it and jumping into the Red Deer River, faces both criminal and traffic charges.
Police said at about 11:30 a.m., Red Deer RCMP located a man driving a stolen truck near Welton Crescent in West Park. When the police cruiser’s emergency lights were activated, the driver sped through a playground zone on 57th Avenue. Police did not pursue the truck out of concern for public safety and the truck was found abandoned in Cronquist Business Park, off the road near the river.
Police said the driver and a female passenger ran to the river and tried to swim away. Meanwhile, officers and police dog services contained by sides of the river and under Taylor Drive bridge.
The woman was taken into custody when she exited the river, while the man stayed in the river until Red Deer Emergency Services dispatched a rescue boat with police onboard to pick him up.
He was treated at hospital, after being in cold water for a prolonged period of time, before being released into police custody.
Rory Richard Forslund, 30, was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, operating a motor vehicle while being pursued by police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, obstructing/resisting a peace officer, driving a motor vehicle while uninsured, and driving while unauthorized.
Forslund is also wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for parole violation, and three other warrants including one for failing to appear in court.
Forslund was remanded in custody to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Friday.
Amanda Buckingham, 28, of Red Deer, is wanted on eight warrants out of Red Deer and Stettler, mostly for drug possession, failing to appear in court, and failing to comply with court-ordered conditions.
Buckingham is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Sept. 24 to speak to charges out of Stettler and is on trial Nov. 20 on Red Deer charges.