Driver in 'confused state' arrested, stolen van recovered outside Calgary
A Manitoba man faces vehicle theft charges following an RCMP investigation into reports a van was swerving and frequently drifted on to the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway east of Calgary.
Officers responded to an area west of the town of Strathmore on the afternoon of Oct. 1 but their pursuit was short-lived as the suspect vehicle, a white utility van, had already stopped along the highway.
RCMP officials say the driver was outside the van "in a confused state" and there were signs he had been drinking.
A roadside breath sample warranted a 72-hour suspension of the driver's licence, RCMP said, but further investigation determined the 42-year-old Manitoba man was driving with a suspended licence and the van had been stolen in Calgary roughly six hours earlier.
Scott Larocque of Steinbach, Man., faces charges of:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
- Two counts of failure to comply with a condition of a release; and,
- Traffic Safety Act violations related to suspended driving.
"This report is a positive example of what can be found with timely reporting of suspicious activity or suspected impaired driving," said Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz, Strathmore RCMP detachment commander, in a statement. "Our members were able to respond in a timely manner to prevent further risk to the public and recover a stolen vehicle."
Larocque remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance.
RCMP confirm the utility van was returned to its rightful owner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.