Second dangerous chase of Glendon vehicle thief in a week, suspect remanded

Images: St. Paul RCMP.

A 21-year-old man from Glendon was quickly re-arrested, after another significant police chase in a stolen vehicle just days after a similar incident.

At approximately 8:30am on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, St. Paul RCMP were contacted by the registered owner of a pickup truck that had been stolen earlier in morning from the Edmonton area.  

The registered owner advised the vehicle was equipped with GPS tracking equipment and that the truck had just entered St. Paul.  

St. Paul members located and covertly conducted surveillance on the vehicle which travelled northbound out of town on Highway 881 towards Therien. 

The suspect vehicle continued travelling on backroads eventually reaching Highway 55. Police say he was travelling at high rates of speed exceeding 160 kph. 

Numerous RCMP resources, including Cold Lake and Bonnyville Detachments, EAD-CRU (Eastern Alberta District-Crime Reduction Unit), Cold Lake and St Paul PDS (Police Dog Services) and a member from the Integrated Offender Management Program assisted.  

The vehicle travelled eastbound on Highway 55 where a TDD (Tire deflation Device) was utilized. 

The vehicle travelled through La Corey, before becoming disabled a short time later, at which time the suspect abandoned the vehicle in the middle of the highway and fled on foot.

With the assistance of Cold Lake and St. Paul PDS the suspect was tracked to a nearby rural residence where he was apprehended after being located hiding in a garden shed. 

The suspect was also found to be in possession of a small quantity of controlled substances believed to be fentanyl and meth.

James Edward Blondeau III , 21 year-old, of Glendon was remanded into custody after he refused to speak to bail during a Judicial Interim Release hearing. 

He has court scheduled for today, February 8th, 2024 in St Paul.

He was charged with the following offences: 

• Dangerous Operation of a MV
• Flight from Police
• Operation of a MV while prohibited
• Possession of stolen property over $5000
• Break and Enter
• Resisting arrest
• Possession of a controlled substance x2
• Disobeying a court order
• Fail to comply with a release condition

The suspect was previously released on unrelated matters on February 2nd, 2024 with conditions to not be found behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

“Police consistently deal with high risk individuals, who because of their choices and behaviours put the public, themselves and police at risk. The collaborative effort by the RCMP Detachments and Units involved resulted in the successful and safe apprehension of this person.  Our members consistently put themselves in harms way to arrest individuals like this and it’s important that the public knows what we are up against”