Police use sock gun to stop Lethbridge suspect

Two men have been charged after a routine traffic stop in Lethbridge went wrong Saturday.

Police said they ended up using something called a “sock gun” to get the driver into custody. A sock gun fires a round similar to a small bean bag, hitting a target without penetrating it.

In a news release Tuesday, Lethbridge Police said they spotted a traffic violation at around 5 p.m. Nov. 11 and unsuccessfully tried to stop the offending vehicle.

Police said they watched the vehicle drive erratically before it hit a parked car along the 300 block of 12 B Street North.

According to the release, the officer who was on scene used his police car to pin the vehicle against a tree in an effort to stop it. Other responding officers attempted to help.

Police said two police cars were damaged as the suspect continued to try to free his vehicle.

Lethbridge Police eventually shot a round from a sock gun into the vehicle and were able to get control of the suspect.

LPS said they discovered the driver was wanted on a number of warrants, the passenger was in breach of conditions and the licence plate on the vehicle was confirmed as stolen.

Police report one officer sustained minor injuries to his hand.

Jyi Mickell Trotter, 37, is charged with flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, two counts of resisting a police officer, assault a police officer with a weapon, failure to stop at an accident and possession of stolen property.

Trotter was remanded in custody and is set to appear in court Nov. 15.

John Elvis Jones, 25, also of Lethbridge, is charged with breaching the conditions of recognizance.

Jones was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 27.