KINDERSLEY, Sask. — A man who led RCMP on a high-speed chase from Kindersley, Sask., into Alberta last month remains behind bars following a dramatic two-day manhunt near the border.
Jeffrey Thomas McLean, 41, of Regina, is facing a string of charges after Kindersley RCMP alerted their counterparts in Oyen, Alta., about a stolen Ford F-350 that fled westbound out of Saskatchewan on April 20.
Oyen officers located the vehicle on Township Road 310 and attempted a traffic stop. RCMP say the driver refused to stop, instead veering off-road and ditching the truck in a field before fleeing on foot.
That kicked off a large-scale manhunt that spanned multiple detachments and involved Police Dog Services and RCMP drones. Two days later, officers tracked McLean down near Esther, Alta., about 40 kilometres east of Oyen, after receiving tips from local residents.
McLean remains in custody and made his latest appearance Friday in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller. He faces several charges including flight from police, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, driving while prohibited, and using an unauthorized licence plate.
The Ford F-350 was confirmed to be stolen out of Saskatchewan.
RCMP are continuing their investigation and credited quick communication between the Kindersley and Oyen detachments, as well as help from the public, for McLean’s arrest.