By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Bail denied for Lethbridge man accused of fleeing police, ramming cruisers

Apr 19, 2018 | 3:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A bid for release by a 27-year-old Lethbridge man has been denied, following a bail hearing Thursday afternoon, April 19.

Winston Frederick Hegi faces a number of charges, including possession of stolen property over $5,000, impaired driving, flight from police and assaulting a police officer with a weapon.

After hearing submissions from the Crown prosecutor and defence – the details of which are covered under a publication ban – Judge Greg Maxwell denied the application and the matter was adjourned to April 27.

According to the Lethbridge Police Service, officers observed a stolen Ford F-350 at the Westside Trailer Court in the 2700 block of Westside Drive on Jan. 25. They noted that they suspected the vehicle had been involved in a break, enter and theft in Coaldale.

Police say that when they attempted to stop the truck, the suspects fled and rammed two cruisers at a high rate of speed, inflicting significant damage. The truck then proceeded north on Westside Drive and then west onto Highway 3 towards Coalhurst.

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Police deployed ‘stop sticks’ on Highway 3, and while they deflated several of the truck’s tires, the vehicle continued to flee, going onto secondary Highway 519. After going about 11 km south, the truck stopped briefly, and a passenger exited the truck, who then surrendered to police. The truck made it about another 500 metres before getting stuck in a ditch, at which point the driver was taken into custody.