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Driven over retaining wall

Real-time GPS updates lead Medicine Hat police to vehicle stolen from Calgary

Mar 9, 2021 | 9:35 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Real-time GPS updates from a Calgary resident helped Medicine Hat police stop a stolen vehicle suspect, but not before it crashed onto Division Avenue in Crescent Heights.

Medicine Hat Police Service say the call came to the city’s 911 Communications line at about 6:45 Monday evening. The caller said his vehicle had stolen in Calgary that morning and the GPS was showing it in Medicine Hat.

Officers located the vehicle and driver, who did not stop for police. Through continued GPS updates from the vehicle owner police followed and located it again, eventually blocking the vehicle in at a dead-end in the zero hundred block of Seventh Street NE.

Police say the driver attempted to flee by driving over a seven-foot retaining wall and crashing onto Division Avenue below. The vehicle was severely damaged and disabled. The driver was uninjured, left the vehicle and ran from the area. He was caught a short distance away.

The Calgary resident, 27, is in custody facing charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of identity documents, obstruction, resisting arrest, and multiple bail violations.