A suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of vehicle thefts, including an incident in Wetaskiwin where the owner was struck by his own vehicle as the suspect fled.
The incident, which occurred on May 22 at the intersection of 55 Street and 41 Avenue in Wetaskiwin, was captured on video and drew widespread attention after being shared on social media.
An investigation conducted by Wetaskiwin RCMP General Duty, the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, and the Wetaskiwin RCMP General Investigative Section identified the suspect.
On May 23, Leduc RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officers from the Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit located and arrested the suspect, who was in a different stolen vehicle.
The vehicle stolen from Wetaskiwin was recovered by Parkland RCMP on May 26.
Anthony Whitford, 32, a resident of Edmonton, is charged with:
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Operation while prohibited (×6)
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Theft of truck
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Assault with a weapon
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Failure to stop after accident resulting in bodily harm
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Driving an uninsured motor vehicle on a highway
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Failure or refusal to comply with demand
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Possession of a controlled substance
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Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
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Resisting/obstructing a peace officer
Whitford was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody for future court dates in different locations.
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