At approximately 3:15 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, Southeast Division patrol members responded to a call from a concerned motorist, after observing an alleged impaired driver near 75 Street and 98 Avenue. Police located the suspect vehicle, a Chevy Silverado, near 75 Street and 118 Avenue, and officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The suspect then entered into a criminal flight, accelerating eastbound down 118 Avenue. Officers did not engage in a pursuit, instead calling in Air 1 to following the suspect vehicle, for reasons of public safety.
Air 1 continued to follow the suspect vehicle as he headed eastbound on the Yellowhead, crossing into Strathcona County and then back into City of Edmonton jurisdiction. Officers successfully deployed a spike belt in an industrial area in southeast Edmonton near 25 Street and 76 Street.
The suspect vehicle, which was then identified as being stolen, continued travelling west down Argyll, despite sustaining two flat, front tires. The suspect vehicle then collided with another vehicle near 53 Avenue and the Whitemud, before Tactical and Canine members were able to successfully box in the suspect vehicle near 178 Street and the Whitemud.
The suspect vigorously resisted arrest, and members were forced to deploy a Conductive Energy Weapon (Taser) to bring the intoxicated male into custody at approximately 4:25 p.m.
Joel Henley, 33, of Calgary, is facing multiple charges including but not limited to, criminal flight (x2), possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, criminal hit and run, possession of a dangerous weapon, criminal dangerous driving, resisting arrest, fraudulent concealment and two warrants for theft and mischief.
More than 20 members from multiple divisions and units were dispatched to deal with this incident, the second such extensive criminal flight response in the last 39 hours. More than 55 EPS members and Strathcona County RCMP members were dispatched early Thursday morning to deal with another extensive criminal flight that culminated with the arrest of a male and female suspect.
A Calgary man is facing multiple charges, following an hour-and-half criminal flight that traversed the city.