RCMP have released the name of the suspect alleged to have driven a stolen semi through Olds which crashed near Bowden during a police pursuit.
He is Michael Lamontagne, 47, of Red Deer.
Lamontagne was arrested Nov. 29 at the scene and was remanded in custody.
He faces seven charges in connection with the matter:
Break and enter with intent to a business.
Three counts of mischief, two of which are mischief over $5,000 and one is mischief causing danger to life.
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Operation of a motor vehicle while being pursued by police.
Possession of stolen property over $5,000 (the truck he was driving).
The incident began at about 4 a.m. on Nov. 29. At that time, Airdrie rural RCMP were called to a report that a large tanker truck had tried to break into a bank in Crossfield by driving into it.
Police responded immediately. While on their way there, they saw the same suspect truck driving southbound on Highway 2A. Officers tried to stop the truck but it sped off. A police pursuit began.
Police continued to pursue the truck through Carstairs and Olds.
It continued onto Highway 2 at which time it drove the wrong way in the southbound lanes.
The truck eventually came to a stop when it crashed into a field near Bowden, at which time police chased the driver on foot.
The suspect was arrested without incident. Police then found out that the truck he'd been driving had been stolen in Red Deer.
