A Red Deer man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down a pair of Lacombe police officers on Wednesday.
The two officers narrowly escaped injury when they were nearly hit by a vehicle after trying to arrest a suspect a Lacombe residence about 11:30 p.m.
Lacombe Police Service says the officers had gone to the residence after getting information that a man was there who allegedly assaulted a Red Deer City traffic enforcement officer earlier in the day after being pulled over during a traffic stop.
Before fleeing, the driver had been identified and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Lacombe police later received information that a suspect was at an area residence and might be armed with a gun. Three officers went there and as they approached on foot a suspect got behind the wheel and aimed the vehicle at two of them.
The suspect then drove west on 50th Avenue before getting on to Hwy 2 and racing at high speed towards Red Deer. As the suspect neared Red Deer, the chase was turned over to RCMP.
A spike belt was used to blow out the vehicle’s tires as it entered the city. The vehicle then hit a tree and caught fire. The driver was arrested without incident and Red Deer Emergency Services put out the vehicle fire.
A suspect was identified as the same one connected with the earlier assault.
Weston Kleigh Pickford, 22, faces numerous charges including two counts each of attempted murder, assaulting a police officer, flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He is also charged with possession of break-in instruments and breach of probation.
He is to appear in provincial court today.