A 32-year-old Ponoka man is facing a number of charges after leading police on a high-speed chase that spanned two days, several jurisdictions, and involved the theft of multiple vehicles. 

It started on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020, when a stolen truck was spotted in Ponoka County. Police also learned the suspect also stole a wallet and gun from another unclocked vehicle in Camrose County, and called in multiple agencies, including the police helicopter, to assist in locating the suspect. 

The suspect was able to avoid police by abandoned his vehicles and stealing others, which were left unlocked with keys in the ignition. Eventually, the helicopter had to refuel and police lost the suspect.

The next day, police were able to obtain a search warrant for the suspect's home, and arrested 36-year-old Cody Alan Feil of Ponoka, who was also wanted on 5 outstanding warrants of arrest from various jurisdictions at the time of his arrest.

Feil has been remanded into custody until his next court appearance in Wetaskiwin on September 8th. Nine stolen vehicles in total were involved in this incident, and all were recovered. 

 

From the Bashaw RCMP: August 28th, 2020:

On August 25, 2020 at 4:15 p.m., Bashaw RCMP received a call of a sighting of a stolen pick-up truck in Ponoka County, Alta. RCMP support units from Bashaw, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Maskwacis Detachments responded to the area in an effort to locate the vehicle.

RCMP received updated information that the suspect driver of the stolen vehicle then stole a firearm and wallet from an unlocked vehicle in Camrose County, Alta. Additional resources that included RCMP Air Services, Central Alberta District (CAD) Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), Wetaskiwin CRU and Ponoka General Investigation Section (GIS) were deployed to assist.

The suspect travelled through several jurisdictions, abandoning the stolen pick-up truck and stealing several other unlocked pick-up trucks, left with the keys in the ignitions, as he evaded responding police. Additional RCMP supports were deployed that included the RCMP Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services.

As a result of the escalating risk of the driving pattern and high speeds of the suspect, the suspect temporarily eluded investigators. Due to the length of time that this situation continued, RCMP Air Services required refuelling and lost sight of the suspect. Efforts to locate the suspect vehicle on August 25, 2020, continued; however, were unsuccessful and continued the following day.

Following further investigation, on August 26, 2020, CAD CRU obtained and executed a search warrant to effect the suspect’s arrest at a residence at approximately 8 pm.  

The suspect, Cody Alan Feil (32) from Ponoka, is charged with 36 criminal code offences related to the criminal flight from police and traffic safety act charges. Feil was also wanted on 5 outstanding warrants of arrest from various jurisdictions at the time of his arrest.

Following a judicial hearing, Feil was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on Sept. 8, 2020.

As a result of the coordinated efforts of the Bashaw, Stettler, Ponoka, Ponoka GIS and CAD CRU RCMP units, nine stolen vehicles involved in this incident were recovered.

“The Bashaw RCMP are aware of the increased activity during our important harvest time but please remain vigilant and remove keys from vehicles and secure your property to prevent incidents of theft,” says Bashaw Detachment Commander Sergeant Bruce Holliday. “Together we can make a difference in crime prevention in our rural communities!”