On camera: Regina police plane assists in high-speed chase leading to arrests
During a fly along with the Regina Police Service (RPS) Aerial Support Unit (ASU), CTV News captured officers in a high-speed chase.
The pursuit included Indian Head and White Butte RCMP who got assistance from their eye in the sky.
“Air support is very much a team environment,” said ASU pilot Sgt. Steve Wyatt. “We provide [ground officers] with real-time information but we can’t act on it.”
According to Saskatchewan RCMP, Mounties received a call around 1 p.m. on March 18 for a vehicle stuck in the snow near Kendal, Sask.
“Officers responded and while en route observed the described vehicle driving on a grid road,” RCMP said in a media release. “When police approached, the vehicle suddenly sped up significantly.”
The officer engaged their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop.
A few hours later, the same vehicle was reported suspicious near McLean, Sask.
Again, it sped off when officers approached.
The ASU was called in to help track the vehicle.
The plane is equipped with a camera with extreme zoom capabilities and infrared technology allowing the ASU to have eyes on a scene in seconds.
“We can be watching a person or vehicle from seven or eight kilometers away,” ASU Tactical Flight Officer Const. Corrie Neufeld explained.
RPS says the view from above and the high coverage area reduces the need for officers on the ground to pursue people or cars.
“If we’re on scene immediately, our catch rate is approximately 100 per cent,” said pilot Sgt. Steve Wyatt.
RCMP chased the vehicle down grid roads, and the suspects often diverted through fields and ditches as they fled.
While Mounties were unable to catch the car, the ASU had eyes on it the entire time.
Then the suspects hit the Trans-Canada Highway and weaved through cars reaching speeds over 160km/h.
“That was independent of police action on the ground,” Const. Neufeld said. “We were able to follow it safely from the air and not put any of our members at risk.”
The police plane tracked the vehicle into Regina.
Const. Neufeld guided patrol officers to make the arrests.
“It’s really rewarding,” she said. “In most cases, [the suspects] would have gotten away without the plane being involved.”
“We would not have been in any sort of pursuit with this vehicle due to the dangerous actions of it,” Neufeld added.
Two people, consisting of a 34-year old man from Regina and a female youth were charged in connection with this incident.
They were each charged with two counts of flight from a peace officer, one count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, one count of mischief over $5,000, one count of mischief under $5,000 and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
The man also was given an additional charge for failing to comply with a probation order.
He made his first court appearance on March 25 while the youth made hers the following day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of 'riba' (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering 'no-interest' halal mortgages should know.
Top whisky, rum and gin brands could pull products from LCBO amid pricing dispute
A group that represents a long list of spirit brands is warning that some popular products could be pulled from the Ontario market amid a multi-million dollar dispute with the LCBO.
4 dead after Houston storms cause widespread damage, major blackouts
Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, an official said Friday, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses.
60 years on, Tim Hortons is synonymous with Canada, but still chasing growth
When Tim Hortons rang in the new year, it marked the occasion with a nod to its humble roots, bringing back a quartet of doughnuts, including some from its earliest days.