A police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle and a firearm ended with three arrests on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation late Tuesday evening.
On April 30, around 9:00 p.m., Cochrane RCMP responded to multiple reports of a man pointing a long gun at another man while driving a stolen truck through the community. With support from a CPS HAWKS helicopter and Police Dog Services, officers quickly found the suspect vehicle.
During the pursuit, the driver allegedly drove head-on toward an officer, forcing the officer off the road into a ditch to avoid a collision. A spike belt was used shortly afterward, where it punctured three of the vehicle’s tires and brought it to a stop. The driver then fled into nearby woods, prompting a search effort.
Two passengers were taken into custody at the scene. With aerial support and police dogs, officers located and arrested the fleeing suspect shortly afterward. A search of the truck yielded a rifle, bear spray, brass knuckles, and a quantity of illicit drugs.
Thirty-eight-year-old Andrew Pooreagle, of Stoney Nakoda First Nation, faces 36 charges, including dangerous driving, firearms offences, possession of prohibited weapons, and breaching multiple release orders. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on May 5.
Jackson Wesley, 35, also of Stoney Nakoda First Nation, was charged with 19 offences, including possession of property obtained by crime, prohibited weapons offences, and 11 counts of breaching release conditions. He also remains in custody ahead of his May 5 court appearance.
A youth, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, faces 11 charges, including possession of a prohibited weapon and obstruction. The youth was released on conditions and is expected to appear in court later this month.
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Cochrane RCMP are urging the public to report criminal or suspicious activity. They note that community tips play a critical role in police investigations. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 911 in emergencies, or to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).