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Lethbridge Courthouse
Postponed

Trial for man charged in Vulcan-area snowmobile chase delayed until October

May 14, 2019 | 4:20 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – For the fourth time, a trial for a 35-year-old man from Blackie Alberta, did not go ahead as planned Tuesday morning (May 14).

Tyrone Emblau has been charged with 18 offences, including possession of stolen property, failure to comply with conditions, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and several other offences.

Emblau, who appeared in person in Lethbridge Provincial Court, smiled as his most recent lawyer, Andre Ouellet, told the court he was still receiving disclosure, while Crown Lawyer Dawn Janecke said communication with Emblau’s lawyers over the last year had been “disjointed.”

He has had at least three lawyers in the last year, and at one point also told the court he would represent himself during his trial.

The judge in the case told the court while he agreed more time was needed for the trial, especially since two charter applications had also been filed, he would not be available over the summer months.

The trial was then postponed until October 9, 2019, when three days would be set aside.

Emblau has in the meantime been released on $5,000 surety, must live at a specified address in Redcliff, and not leave the home or property unless conditions are met and approved.

The charges stem from an incident on March 21, 2018. Around 5 a.m., a Vulcan RCMP officer responded to a report of a stolen snowmobile at a rural property near Champion. The officer located a truck and trailer hauling the snowmobile about an hour later and pulled the vehicle over. A physical altercation ensued when the officer attempted to arrest the lone male in the truck, during which police say the suspect managed to escape and that the officer was nearly run over as the truck fled the scene.

After getting the truck stuck in a snow-covered field, the suspect then used the stolen snowmobile and again continued to flee pursuing officers from multiple RCMP detachments.

With assistance from a Calgary Police Service helicopter and an RCMP canine unit, the man was tracked down after the snowmobile was found stuck in a stand of trees, about six kilometres from where the truck and trailer had been abandoned. It was noted that the man suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision with a tree.

Police said at the time he was arrested, Emblau was also wanted on 29 outstanding warrants from various detachments.