By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

New trial set for man accused of ramming police cruisers, auto theft

Sep 14, 2018 | 1:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A new trial date has been set for a Calgary man facing charges of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, and disqualified driving, in connection with an incident in Lethbridge late last year.

Appearing on behalf of Eric Smith Friday, Sept. 14, defence lawyer Robin McIntyre had the one-day, judge alone trial scheduled for Jan. 2, 2019.

Smith was originally set to go to trial on the matter in August, however, it had to be adjourned when he opted to change legal counsel just over a month before the proceedings were to begin – going from Lethbridge lawyer Scott Hadford to Calgary based McIntyre.

It was noted when he made the switch in legal representation that the delay would be attributed to the defence, meaning it would not count against the Jordan timeline that ensures cases reach trial within a specified time.

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 F-350 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 F-350 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 an LPS service dog and was taken into custody after being treated by EMS.

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