On Dec. 20, 2023, at 10:30 p.m., Olds RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of mail truck theft from the Canada Post Office in Olds. The driver got out of the driver’s seat to unlock a door, when a female jumped in the mail truck and drove away.
Within a short period of time, the stolen mail truck was spotted leaving the Town of Olds and was south bound on Highway 2A. RCMP followed the truck and called for back-up. Officers from Didsbury RCMP attended and successfully deployed a tire deflation device on Hwy 2A, which disabled the stolen truck.
However, the driver continued on east bound on Township Road 320 for several kilometers, running on rims until the truck came to a complete stop.
As RCMP closed in on the truck, the driver reversed the truck and backed into a RCMP car, causing $7,000 worth of damage. The driver then lurched forward and drove into the south ditch and became hopelessly stuck in the snow. Despite this, the driver continued to rev the engine and spin the tires for quite some time.
The female driver was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. The stolen truck was recovered and the mail within returned to its rightful owners.
Alberta RCMP are proud of the Olds and Disbury detachments for ensuring a Grinch didn’t ruin their families Christmas.
46-year-old Jamie Kruse, a resident of Olds, has been charged with:
- Dangerous driving
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
- Resist Arrest
- Breach of Probation
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Kruse was remanded to appear by CCTV in Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks, Alta. on Dec. 22, 2023.