Joshua Clarke, the Edmonton man sought by Loon Lake RCMP after a dramatic bush pursuit last week, is in custody.
Clarke, 31, was arrested on Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation on May 28 with help from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Meadow Lake Crime Reduction Team and Meadow Lake Police Dog Services. He is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court the same day.
Clarke was wanted after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop on Island Lake First Nation on May 21. Officers had spotted an SUV with two occupants around 6:15 p.m. following a report of an erratic driver. When police activated their emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated and fled.
RCMP deployed a tire deflation device on Highway 21. The SUV drove over it but kept going before stopping on its own. The driver got out and ran into nearby bush. A police dog tracked him approximately 11 kilometres before losing the trail. Aerial searches using a remotely piloted aircraft also came up empty in search for the man. The passenger was arrested at the scene but later released without charge.
Clarke faces four charges in connection with the May 21 incident:
- flight from peace officer, s. 320.17, Criminal Code
- dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, s. 320.13(1), Criminal Code
- resist/obstruct peace officer, s. 129(a), Criminal Code
- fail to comply with release order condition, s. 145(5)(a), Criminal Code
Clarke is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
