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Homeowner interrupts Coaldale-area burglary

Feb 13, 2017 | 10:41 AM

COALDALE – Two people were arrested after a rural homeowner interrupted a break-and-enter in progress, leading to a vehicle chase, Coaldale RCMP said.

The call to police came at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. According to RCMP, a man and a woman driving a vehicle stolen from Fort Macleod pulled onto a rural property south of Coaldale, and the male suspect then broke into the home, stealing items that included jewellery, an iPad, laptop, and vehicle keys.

The homeowner came upon the burglary, and the man and woman took off in a vehicle stolen from the property, heading north towards Coaldale. That ended with a minor collision involving the suspects and the property owner, at the intersection of Highway 845 and Township Road 84.

But the pursuit wasn’t over. Police said the man and woman ran into a farmer’s field. An RCMP officer chased them into the field, and was able to apprehend both.

A 34-year-old man from Fort Macleod was scheduled to appear in court Monday, Feb. 13 on charges of break, enter and theft; theft of a motor vehicle; and possession of stolen property over $5,000. The other suspect, a 23-year-old woman from Standoff, is charged with petty trespassing and leaving the scene of a collision.

Nobody was hurt in the collision. RCMP say they are grateful for reports from the public, but caution people against becoming directly involved in apprehending suspects.