On July 8, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Wetaskiwin RCMP were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery in the 4600 block of 48 Avenue in Wetaskiwin.
Investigation revealed that a suspect pointed a can of bear spray and a firearm at the victim, who was hit several times before his wallet was stolen.
The suspect was believed to be driving a tan or dusty coloured Chevrolet Tahoe.
Officers soon located the vehicle near a business on 56 Street. The vehicle was followed south on Highway 2A to Township Road 460 where a traffic stop was initiated.
The suspect vehicle fled, travelling though Maskwacis to the QEII, north to Highway 13, continuing north to Highway 39 near the town of Calmar, before crashing into the ditch.
With the help of RCMP officers from Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis, Leduc and Devon, Police Dog Services and the Emergency Response Team, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Denver Deschampes, a 23-year-old resident of Edmonton, is facing the following charges:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Flight from Police
- Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
- Fail to comply with a release order
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Deshampes was remanded in custody and is to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on July 11.