Suspected truck thieves force school lockdowns, create community havoc

In a municipality of just 8,500 people and a busy downtown core that can see half of those numbers in businesses, schools and carrying out daily chores, it will be hard to find someone not affected by Thursday’s police search for suspected truck thieves in Lac La Biche County.

From the constant drone of a police helicopter overhead to the skidding tires of a racing truck through the narrow and busy streets of the municipality's namesake urban hamlet,  a police takedown was made public for all to see.

From initial reports, police members made up of the Eastern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit,  Police Dog Services, and the RCMP air services  were intending on finding a suspected vehicle thief at his residence southeast of the Lac La Biche  hamlet that morning, but a vehicle associated with the man made it through the web and was singled out as a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a downtown Lac La Biche hotel.

The truck, a newer model dodge pickup had extensive damage to the front end and had a smashed back window.

Police caught up to the vehicle — but stayed back at a distance in unmarked vehicles — as it drove west at highway speeds and turned into a rural subdivision with only one entrance and exit road.

With the help of the RCMP helicopter overhead, police monitored the travel of the suspect truck as it drove around the subdivision.

Although police were moving towards the area, the truck made its way back to the highway and headed back into the downtown Lac La Biche area.

Numerous reports on social media identified the same truck as driving erratically on the streets of Lac La Biche. At the RCMP detachment, calls were taken from motorists who had been forced off the road or narrowly avoided the same suspect vehicle as it raced through the area.

With the RCMP helicopter circling from overhead, police followed the truck, eventually ramming it at a clear intersection near the Youth Assessment Centre.

The truck was disabled and two suspects ran on foot.

"Lac La Biche RCMP, Eastern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit, and Police Dog Services are currently on scene at Portege College in Lac La Biche," said RCMP media relations constable Mike Hibbs.

The RCMP K-9 unit quickly caught one of the suspects. That arrest caused what police are calling "minor injuries" to the suspect.

The other suspect ran into the nearby Portage College building.

Northern Lights Public Schools announces they have implemented a Hold and Seccure order for five schools in Lac La Biche, including the high school, middle school, elementary school and the off-campus facility.

Moments later, Lac La BIche RCMP issued a statement saying a lockdown was in effect at Portage College with staff and students restricted to classrooms and secure offices.

"Members currently have the college contained and are cleaning and evacuating the building," said Hibbs.

Staff and students who could not initially leave the building with police were told to remain in secure areas.

Both lockdown orders would remain in effect for more that two hours as RCMP combed the building looking for the suspect.

RCMP issue a news release saying the "situation" at the college has ended.

"A second male suspect has been taken into custody without incident. Lac La Biche RCMP would like to the public for their co-operation," noted Hibbs.

The nearby public schools were also taken out of their hold and secure status.

Mayor comment expected

Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi has been given a chance to comment on the day's events, and is expected to contact the POST with a statement later today. The mayor and councillors have been in Edmonton at the Rural Municipalities Association convention. The three-day event wrapped up today at noon. On Tuesday, according to the conference's agenda, councillors were meeting with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley.

In September, Ganley spoke favourably about the province's increased focus on rural crime.

“The rural crime reduction strategy is working. In the six months since we announced $10 million in funding for a seven-point action plan, RCMP have recorded a noticeable decrease in property crimes,” she said in a media release.

Portage College responds

The interim president at Portage College, Nancy Broadbent issued a statement tonight, saying college officials are grateful to the work of the police and the patience and understanding of staff and students during a difficult time.

"We thank the RCMP for their professionalism and to thank students and staff for their patience during the incident," said  Broadbent.