By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Man accused of ramming police cruisers hires new lawyer, cancels trial

Jul 19, 2018 | 2:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The legal proceedings have essentially been reset for a Calgary man who was scheduled to go to trial next month in Lethbridge, after he changed lawyers Thursday, July 19.

Eric Smith faces charges that include assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, theft of a vehicle and disqualified driving in connection with an incident in which an individual allegedly broke into a pair of local dealerships, stole multiple vehicles, and rammed two police cruisers.

An agent who appeared for Smith’s new lawyer, Calgary based Robin McIntyre, asked that the Aug. 21 trial date be vacated, as she has just taken on the case and needs more time to review it and prepare. While the Crown prosecutor consented to dropping the trial date and adjourning the matter, they noted on the record that the delay comes at the request of the defence – meaning it will not count against the Jordan timeline that ensures cases reach trial within a specified time.

When asked by the judge what is expected when the case returns to court, McIntyre’s agent and the Crown agreed that either they could proceed by scheduling another trial date or work together on resolving the matter, without the need for a trial.

In a media release from the Lethbridge Police Service, they say that officers responded to a report of a break and enter at Dunlop Ford on Mayor Magrath Drive on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, after an individual drove a truck into the garage door. Police say the male suspect took a set of keys, then fled into the parking area when confronted by an employee. The individual located the F350 truck that the keys belonged to and left the scene. It was later determined that the original truck used to ram the garage door had been stolen in Calgary.

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As police processed the scene, the subject allegedly went to Bridge City Chrysler along the 3200 block of 1 Ave. South, using the F350 to drive into the garage door. Again, the individual took a set of keys, this time moving a Fiat Spyder down the street. Police believe the vehicle was moved so it could be stolen later. While attempting to move a second vehicle at the dealership, a security officer arrived, prompting the subject to flee in a Dodge Ram 1500.

An LPS officer observed the stolen truck near the dealership around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 1, and two more officers were called in to help block the vehicle in. The subject proceeded to ram both police vehicles and took off on Highway 3.

The RCMP were contacted and assisted in the pursuit as the truck went beyond city limits. They deployed a spike belt, which disabled the vehicle, forcing the subject to run on foot. He was tracked down later in a shed by LPS Service Dog Myke and was taken into custody after being treated by EMS.

Smith remains in custody after his application for bail was denied earlier this year.