Suspect jumped in and stole mail truck while driver unlocking door
In perhaps the most brazen Christmas season caper since the Grinch ransacked Whoville, a woman stole a Canada Post mail truck in Olds on Wednesday and drove for kilometres before crashing.
Olds RCMP said they got a call that a mail truck had been stolen outside the Canada Post office in Olds about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“The driver got out of the driver’s seat to unlock a door, when a female jumped in the mail truck and drove away,” said RCMP on Friday.
The truck was soon spotted leaving Olds soutbound on Highway 2A. Police were quickly on its tail and called for backup.
Further down Highway 2A, police laid down a tire deflation device and successfully blew out tires on the truck about 10 km south of Olds.
“However, the driver continued on eastbound on Township Road 320 for several kilometers, running on rims until the truck came to a complete stop,” said police.
“As RCMP closed in on the truck, the driver reversed the truck and backed into a RCMP car, causing $7,000 worth of damage. The driver then lurched forward and drove into the south ditch and became hopelessly stuck in the snow.
“Despite this, the driver continued to rev the engine and spin the tires for quite some time.”
RCMP officers got the woman out of the truck, arrested her and took her into custody. The stolen truck, no doubt full of Christmas parcels and cards, was returned to Canada Post.
“Alberta RCMP are proud of the Olds and Disbury detachments for ensuring a Grinch didn’t ruin their families Christmas.”
A 46-year-old Olds woman has been charged with dangerous driving, possession of stolen property over $5,000, resisting arrest and breach of probation. The suspect remains in custody and was scheduled to appear in Okotoks Court of Justice on Friday.