Chip truck stolen, thief apprehended

Times Reporter 

 

On July 8, like a scene out of a cheesy movie, an Old Dutch Chip truck was stolen and used in a high-speed chase that ended in one Wheatland County resident’s yard. 

“I was on Facebook posting an update about the volunteering I had been doing at the Sportsplex in Siksika,” said Jeanine Jamieson, who lives 10 minutes west of Strathmore.

“I had just finished writing something and then I heard squealing tires coming down my driveway and stood up, and then heard this really hard bang outside. I just immediately knew that that wasn’t right and called the police.”

After she called the police, she poked her head outside and saw an Old Dutch chip truck up against a tree in her yard, and then a white Old Dutch van that she said had appeared to be chasing the truck was in the yard as well.  

“Then a police car came and then more police came, and then they were out with their guns drawn. The guy ran off, even with how quickly the police came he managed to escape,” said Jamieson. 

“Most of the police left the yard right away and started combing the roads around here. It didn’t sound like they were having much luck finding him so they brought out the canine unit and I don’t know if it was for sure the dog that actually ended up finding him two miles away near Prescott Feedlots.”

Charges have been laid against a 36-year-old male from the Chestermere area. Dax Seymour has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, driving while disqualified, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer, obstruction of a peace officer, mischief under $5,000 and failing to obey a traffic control device. 

“It doesn’t surprise me that this was stolen … if it is available they will take it,” said Cpl. Chris Hrynyk with the Strathmore detachment. 

“Any type of vehicle will be stolen by somebody who is motivated to take it, no matter what it is. The best thing is to make sure you’re not leaving your vehicle running outside of somewhere and that it’s locked without leaving the keys.”

The incident, which ended up being a humorous story, could have had a different outcome if Jamieson’s children had been home. 

“Normally I have a six-year-old and a two-year-old playing outside, but they were at their dad’s.  My two-year-old and I, one of the things we do all the time right now is go up and down the driveway on bikes and if they were here it would have been extremely frightening, but because they weren’t and no one got hurt, it’s kind of funny,” said Jamieson. 

She said after the Old Dutch guys were told that the crime scene was clear they pulled their truck out of the trees, they gave her four big bags of chips which she then donated to Siksika flood victims the next day.