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Video shows police pursuit after off-duty officer was assaulted in Alberta

Click to play video: 'Police pursuit caught on video near Maskwacis'
Police pursuit caught on video near Maskwacis
A police chase in the central Alberta community of Maskwacis was caught on camera, where RCMP were attempting to arrest a person suspected of assaulting an off-duty officer in the nearby community of Wetaskiwin – Jun 27, 2018

Dramatic video shared with Global News shows a police pursuit that kicked off after an off-duty officer was reportedly assaulted in Wetaskiwin, Alta.

Police were called to the Safeway in the central Alberta city on June 25 where an off-duty officer was holding a suspected shoplifter. According to the officer, he was punched and bitten by a second woman while trying to detain the shoplifter.

Police said the two were able to get away and fled in a minivan with a male passenger. It was later determined the van and licence plate were stolen from Calgary.

Police located the vehicle in Wetaskiwin County and initiated a pursuit that continued south onto Highway 2A.

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The video shows what looks like a Dodge Caravan speeding on a two-lane highway. The van was being pursued by at least five police vehicles.

The van crosses over the centre line of the highway and appears to come close to hitting several vehicles that have pulled over to allow the pursuit to pass.

Two people are facing charges after an off-duty officer was assaulted while trying to detain a shoplifter in Wetaskiwin, Alta.
Two people are facing charges after an off-duty officer was assaulted while trying to detain a shoplifter in Wetaskiwin, Alta. Courtesy: Jacqueline Saddleback

At an intersection, the van turns and speeds down a dirt road parallel to the highway. Police vehicles continue to chase the van down the dirt road, while others keep up on the adjacent highway.

Once the pursuit entered the community of Ermineskin, police called off the chase due to public safety concerns.

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Police said they located the van again a short time later within the town limits and attempted a traffic stop. While trying to flee, police said the suspect collided with two police cars.

WATCH: The end of a police chase in the central Alberta community of Maskwacis was caught on camera, where RCMP moved in to arrest people suspected of assaulting an off-duty officer in Wetaskiwin.

Click to play video: 'Large RCMP takedown caught on video in Maskwacis'
Large RCMP takedown caught on video in Maskwacis

The female driver and male passenger were arrested on scene and the other female was able to escape. As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, police were still trying to locate her.

Vince Rain, 33, from Maskwacis is facing seven charges including theft under $5,000, resist/obstruct a peace officer and impaired operation of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on June 28 in Wetaskiwin.

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Janelle Bear, 29, from Edmonton is facing 16 charges including two counts of assault on a police officer with a weapon causing bodily harm, operation of a motor vehicle while being pursued by police and impaired operation of a motor vehicle. She also remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on June 28 in Wetaskiwin.

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