By James Wood

UPDATE: Two arrested after car chase ends in Foremost

Jun 15, 2017 | 9:05 AM

FOREMOST, AB — A Medicine Hat man and a Taber womanare facing numerous charges after striking three police vehicles during a high speed pursuit.

According to a news release issued by the RCMP, the incident began around 2 p.m. Wednesday after members from the Raymond RCMP detachment attempted to stop a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The vehicle fled from police, striking two police vehicles in the process.

The vehicle was then pursued by officers, who called in neighbouring detachments, as well as the Lethbridge police and the helicopter from the Calgary Police Service. The two-hour chase ended in a field near Foremost, travelling more than 100 kilometres, and reaching speeds as high as 170 km/h.

Throughout the chase, three police vehicles were struck by the stolen vehicle, with one officer discharging their service pistol during the pursuit.

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Joshua Schmaltz, 31, from Medicine Hat, has been identified as the driver of the stolen vehicle, and was wanted on numerous charges, including forcible confinement, assault and escaping lawful custody. Taber resident Lori Malinsky, 39, was named as the passenger of the vehicle. Malinsky was wanted on other charges, including flight from police, theft and possession of stolen property.

Charges related to the pursuit have not yet been sworn against Schmaltz and Malinsky.

The officer involved in the first collision sustained minor injuries, and was treated at hospital and released. 

The pursuit, and the officer shooting the pistol, are being investigated by the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch.