By CHAT News Today/ Dori Modney - Lethbridge News Now

Charges pending in prisoner escape and tasering

Nov 17, 2018 | 9:46 AM

Lethbridge, AB-   Both the RCMP and Lethbridge Police are expected to lay charges in several incidents relating to property and weapons offences.

Around 2:30 Friday (Nov 16) afternoon, Coaldale RCMP were in the process of transporting a 46-year old man who was under arrest for property crimes. The man’s hands were handcuffed behind him as he was being escorted to the north door of the RCMP detachment on Stafford Drive in Lethbridge, when he was able to free one of his wrists and bolt out the door.

The prisoner crossed Stafford Drive with numerous officers in pursuit and ran to a housing complex a few blocks away where a relative lived.  

 Lethbridge Police were alerted to the situation and had officers responded to assist RCMP members.

A search of the complex by both police services located the prisoner barricaded in a washroom in his relatives’ apartment. When he was confronted, the prisoner brandished a knife and lunged at officers, prompting them to deploy a taser.

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The prisoner was taken to the Regional Hospital for an assessment and then transported to the Lethbridge Correctional Centre to await a judicial interim release hearing.

No one was injured during the incident and the prisoner was out of police custody for about 20 minutes.

Additional charges based on the escape will be added including escaping lawful custody, possession of a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

An internal RCMP review of the prisoner escape will be conducted.