March 28 - Red Deer RCMP have charged a 23 year old man with multiple offences after he collided with a police cruiser and two civilian vehicles in the East Hill Shopping Centre parking lot the morning of March 27 while attempting to evade police in a stolen truck.

The suspect was driving a black Ford Ranger that had been reported stolen out of Springbrook on March 26; when police approached, the driver backed into the police car several times in an attempt to flee the scene.

Two civilian trucks assisted police by successfully boxing in the suspect vehicle; both trucks were also struck and suffered minor damage as a result.

The male driver and a female passenger then fled the scene on foot.

The male driver was tracked by Police Dog Services while more police officers contained the area and temporarily closed Inglewood Drive to traffic.

The police dog quickly located the suspect hiding in a residential yard and took him into custody without further incident.

23 year old Johnny Howard William MacDonald faces the following charges:

· Criminal Code 270(1)(a) – Assault on police officer
· Criminal Code 249(1) – Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
· Criminal Code 129(a) – Resist peace officer
· Criminal Code 355(b) – Possession of stolen property under $5,000

MacDonald has been remanded in custody and will appear in court in Red Deer on March 28 at 9:30 am.

RCMP have identified the female suspect, and the investigation continues.

RCMP are grateful for the commitment by citizens in attempting to assist police in apprehending a suspect, and thank them for their help, but RCMP urge the public not to put themselves in harm’s way by engaging with any suspect whose actions indicate a willingness to use force to escape police.

If you have information about this investigation, please contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.

Red Deer RCMP and Police Dog Services located the suspect at 8:45 am as he attempted to evade police on Illingsworth Close, and took him into custody without incident.

Police containment has been lifted on Inglewood Drive and RCMP thank citizens for their patience during this disruption to traffic.

RCMP continue their investigation; a further update will be issued as more information becomes available.

Red Deer RCMP and Police Dog Services are currently searching the Inglewood neighbourhood and have closed Inglewood Drive to traffic after a suspect in a Ford Ranger collided with a police cruiser and several civilian vehicles and then fled on foot.

Police ask citizens to avoid the Inglewood neighbourhood while they conduct the search, and to watch for the suspect, who is described as a Caucasian male wearing a black hoody and grey pants.

RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at the Easthill Shopping Centre at 8 am.

On arrival, the driver collided with the police cruiser and several other vehicles and then fled on foot. No one was injured in these collisions.

RCMP thank Inglewood residents and drivers in the area for avoiding the area to allow the police to do their work.

If you have information about this incident, call the Red Deer RCMP complaint line at 403-343-5575. If you see the suspect, please call 911 to report his whereabouts. RCMP will issue an update as more information becomes available.