A Red Deer man was charged with a break and enter and theft from a rural lease site on April 28.
Sundre RCMP said police were conducting patrols of rural lease sites at 2 a.m. when an officer saw an alleged break and enter in progress.
The officer activated the police vehicle’s emergency equipment and attempted to stop two suspect vehicles.
Both vehicles sped off and drove through the fence of the compound, headed into a wooded area, then drove through a livestock fence onto a range road.
Police followed the tracks on foot to an off highway vehicle trail where the vehicles were abandoned.
RCMP said the vehicles were stolen and several thousand dollars worth of tools and copper wire stolen from the surrounding area were located inside the vehicles.
Red Deer Police Dog Service tracked the suspects for several kilometers and located one them who was apprehended without incident.
Dean Johnstone, 50, of Red Deer was charged with two counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of property obtained over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, flight from a peace officer, mischief under $5,000, and possession of break–in instruments
Johnstone was released on a recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Didsbury Provincial Court on June 7, 2021.