Large sword, rifle seized from stolen SUV after chase through Red Deer

Three people are facing a lengthy list of charges after Red Deer RCMP arrested them in a stolen vehicle that also contained a firearm and a large sword.

Police said they spotted a stolen Ford Escape as it drove south through the central Alberta city around 2:30 Sunday morning.

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Mounties said they laid a spike belt that flattened both of the SUV’s front tires; however, the vehicle sped away. It drove erratically until it broke down, hitting the median at the intersection of Taylor Drive and Kerry Wood Drive, near the Red Deer River.

Mounties said the SUV entered the park system along the river, coming to rest in a treed area.

RCMP said the man driving the car and a woman who was a passenger attempted to run away, but were caught by police. Three other passengers who stayed in the car were also arrested, but two of them were later released without being charged.

RCMP seized a sword and a rifle from the car and found a second rifle, which was loaded, near the collision scene.

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Jerad Cory Matheson, 25, Darren Curtis Lagrelle, 21, and Liticia Helen Willier, 19, were all charged with possession of weapon for dangerous purpose and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Additionally, Matheson was charged with dangerous operation of motor vehicle, fail to stop in order to evade peace officer, and resist peace officer.

Lagrelle was also charged with two counts of possession of weapon contrary to a prohibition order, and Willier was charged with two counts of failing to comply with probation.

All three made their first court appearance in Red Deer on Sept. 18. Willer is scheduled to appear again on Sept. 27, while Matheson and Lagrelle are both scheduled to appear again on Oct. 11.