A Red Deer man was in court this morning after crashing the stolen truck he was driving while attempting to flee police.

On January 14 at 7:20 am, RCMP responded to a report of trespassing at the CP Rail yard on Edgar Industrial Drive after an employee encountered a suspicious red truck on the grounds.

The truck struck the employee vehicle and fled the scene.

RCMP located the truck shortly afterward in the area of Golden West Avenue and 67 Street, at which point the truck fled police by running a red light, narrowly avoiding collisions with the police cruiser and several other vehicles.

RCMP did not pursue due to public safety concerns, but located the truck again on Overdown Drive.

The truck had collided with a parked truck and a power pole, and broken through a gate at Napa Auto Parts before being abandoned on Overdown Drive.

RCMP contained the area and Police Dog Services tracked the male driver and female passenger as they attempted to leave the area on foot.

They were located walking on Ottawa Street and were arrested without further incident.

No one was injured during this series of collisions.

The truck was reported stolen out of Red Deer on January 12; originally white, it had been painted red after its theft.

The female passenger was subsequently released without charges.

28 year old Johnathan Robert Wilson-Martin faces the following charges:

· Criminal Code 355(a) – Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· Criminal Code 252 – Fail to remain at scene of collision
· Criminal Code 430(3) – Mischief over $5,000
· Criminal Code 249(1) – Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
· Criminal Code 145(3) – Fail to comply with recognizance
· Railway Safety Act 26.1 – Unlawfully enter land on which a line works is located

Wilson-Martin will appear in court again in Red Deer on January 30 at 9:30 am.