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Suspects shot at pursuing police during crime spree

No police officers were injured in May 17 shooting
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Suspects in a pickup fired on pursuing police in Sylvan Lake. And RCMP fired on a fleeing vehicle in another incident during a wild crime spree.

RCMP said none of its members were injured when they were fired on in the early hours of May 17 after Rimbey RCMP responded at about 1:30 a.m. to a call of a break and enter in progress. Police were told the suspect was armed with a gun.

When police arrived, the suspects took off in a stolen truck. Sylvan Lake police spotted the speeding truck around 2 a.m. near Bentley and gave chase.

The truck ended up on a dead-end rural road and hit the ditch. The occupants fled into nearby woods, but police managed to grab one female suspect.

While police were involved in the search for the other suspects, a truck connected to a number of break and enters where a gun was used a day earlier arrived. At least one suspect jumped into the truck, which sped off.

“The pursuit continued through the town of Sylvan Lake, where firearms from the truck were discharged multiple times at police,” says RCMP in a Friday afternoon news release.

“During the pursuit, a female from the truck was arrested without incident.”

Police found the abandoned truck nearby, where it had collided with a parked vehicle. A loaded firearm was found inside.

Two days later, Sylvan Lake police responded to a 911 call about a break and enter at around 1:30 a.m. in an industrial area.

RCMP from Red Deer, the Emergency Response Team and a dog unit arrived to help, and spotted a suspect vehicle that swerved toward the officers.

“An officer discharged their firearm at the vehicle, but no one in the vehicle was injured.”

A second vehicle, stolen from a nearby industrial property, smashed through fencing and was pursued by ERT officers. The vehicle broke down soon after and a man was arrested without incident.

Police weren’t done yet. On Tuesday at around 2:45 p.m., a male suspect was arrested while allegedly driving a stolen car.

Four suspects are facing more than 50 charges in connection with the recent incidents.

“Multiple members across various jurisdictions were involved with this dangerous crime spree,” says Staff Sgt. Mark Groves, of Central Alberta District RCMP.

“Policing efforts do not have borders, nor do crimes, so we will continue to pursue these repeat offenders throughout the province of Alberta.”

Danelle Rickett, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and joyriding.

Rickett was released from custody and is due in Red Deer provincial court on May 29.

Samantha Johnston, 29, of Red Deer, has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking and four counts of breaching recognizances.

Johnston remains in custody and is due in Red Deer court on May 30.

Tyler Harris, 23, of Red Deer, has been charged with two counts of break and enter of a business, disguise with intent to commit a crime, flight from police, and four counts of breaching recognizances.

Harris remains in custody and is due in Red Deer court on June 12.

Zacharias Paradoski, of Red Deer, has been charged with 39 offences, including discharging a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, break and enter, possession of break and enter instruments and being disguised with intent to commit a crime.

Paradoski is still in custody and will be in court on June 5.



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