By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Third trial date scheduled for man charged in 2018 snowmobile chase

Feb 12, 2019 | 1:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE – After two failed attempts, a tentative trial date has been set for a man from Blackie, Alberta, in connection with a series of events in March 2018 that started with a stolen snowmobile and ended following a chase involving Calgary Police, the HAWCS (Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety), and RCMP Police Dog Services.

During an appearance via CCTV from Lethbridge Correctional Centre, 35-year-old Tyrone Emblau elected to be tried by a Provincial Court judge, and to represent himself.

He entered not guilty pleas to all charges against him.

Justice Derek Redman expressed concern to the Crown that two trial dates had already been set but abandoned.

The Crown explained that during the first attempt, a date was set in late October 2018, however a break-down in the solicitor-client relationship at the time ended in a trial cancellation.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Then, another date was scheduled in Jan. 2019, however, the Crown did not feel enough time had been scheduled for the matter, and that too, was cancelled.

On Tuesday, a tentative one-day trial was scheduled a third time, for May 6, 2019, however the Crown was told to keep an eye open for an earlier date if possible.

Emblau expressed some concern about receiving full disclosure, and Justice Redman indicated it could be a future charter issue.

Emblau was also denied bail during a Court of Queen’s Bench appearance on Monday, Feb. 11.

Case History

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.

Emblau was subsequently charged with several offences, including assaulting a police officer, flight from police, and dangerous driving.