The Saskatoon Police Service Traffic Unit sent out a salute to the Air Support Unit and fellow officers for the teamwork in nabbing a suspect who had evaded police and at one point was driving over 180 kilometres per hour in Saskatoon on the weekend.

The officers were referring to an incident which started on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. when a Saskatoon city police officer saw a pick up truck being driven erratically in the area of 20th Street West and 1st Avenue. The officer witnessed the truck drive through a red light, and increase its speed. The Air Support Unit located the vehicle as it drove onto the Sid Buckwold Bridge and tracked it. Although no patrol units were pursuing, it headed east out of the city on Highway 16 in what police describe as a dangerous manner.

The RCMP were notified and multiple detachments: Saskatoon, Lanigan, Humboldt and Watrous converged on the area between Young and Watrous which is where the truck headed. A tire deflation device was used, police intercepted, the driver left the road and got stuck in a field near the town of Young. The driver took off on foot and was successfully taken into custody. The vehicle was believed stolen from Rosthern.

A 32-year-old Saskatoon man is now facing charges of Evade Police, Dangerous Driving, Driving While Prohibited, and Possession of Stolen Property over $5000. He was also found to be wanted on warrants from Shellbrook and Blaine Lake.

Saskatoon Police say there were actually two incidents involving stolen vehicles evading police which involved a multi-agency effort and ended in arrests.

Around 2:30 Monday morning a Saskatoon Police Service patrol officer spotted an SUV reported stolen in Prince Albert but the vehicle refused to stop for police when they tried to pull it over at 21st Street and Idylwyld Drive North. The vehicle ran a red light and the Air Support Unit took over tracking the vehicle which sped out of Saskatoon northbound traveling on Highway 11 to Warman. Warman RCMP and Corman Park Police deployed stud belts and the SUV was disabled and stopped a short distance away.

A 21 year old woman from Prince Albert is facing charges of Dangerous Driving, Evade Police, Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Psilocybin.

Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper says, “As is the case often, a successful conclusion is the direct result of our extensive training, coordinated policing and valuable partnerships.” And Saskatchewan RCMP Acting Central District Commander Inspector Brent Olberg echoed those sentiments, “This shows how ready and committed our police forces are to integrate and take criminals off our streets.”