Vehicle in Strathmore stolen with infant inside leads to arrest, several charges for Calgary man

A 27-year-old Calgary man was arrested and faces several charges after a vehicle was stolen with an infant inside in Strathmore over the weekend.

Mounties explain that on Saturday, just before 10:30 a.m., RCMP received the report of the stolen vehicle near the Travel Lodge with a five-month-old child still inside.

“It was reported the occupants of the vehicle stopped for a break and were beside the vehicle when a male wearing a reflective vest jumped into the driver seat and sped away,” a statement from the Strathmore RCMP reads.

A victim of the stolen vehicle flagged down a driver passing by who followed the thief while relaying information to RCMP dispatch.

“With the information provided, responding Strathmore members were able to close in on the vehicle’s location while Calgary Police Service (HAWCS) helicopter moved into a position to monitor,” Mounties said.

Police say the stolen vehicle was driven through rural roads at high speed before making it onto Highway 1 Westbound, reaching 160kmph.

An RCMP cruiser followed the stolen vehicle until it reached the overpass on Highway 1 and Highway 9, stopping in the inside/fast lane.

The driver of the stolen vehicle then removed the child from the vehicle, and placed the infant on the side of the road as members positioned themselves behind him before he sped away again.

An officer rushed in and picked up the infant left on the highway.

“The infant was reunited with the complainant as they arrived on scene with the good Samaritan who initially followed the suspect vehicle. The infant’s mother arrived a short time later,” Mounties explain.

HAWCS flew over Highway 1 onto rural roads in the area of Township Road 243 and Range Road 281 near Chestermere following the stolen vehicle.

“The offender reached a gate at a new development and got stuck while he tried to drive around it to avoid police. The offender fled on foot but remained visible to HAWCS who directed members to the offender’s location,” the release continued.

“Strathmore members assisted by Chestermere members located and took the offender into custody.”

The suspect, Tejinder Brar, was arrested and sent to the Strathmore Detachment cells. While he remained in custody, he was later charged with abduction of a child under 14, theft of a motor vehicle, flight from police, dangerous driving, and failure to comply with a condition of release.

“Police do not normally advise the public to chase or follow stolen vehicles as it creates a high-risk situation where everyone involved could be seriously injured or worse. This situation however differed in consideration of the safety and wellbeing of an innocent child who thankfully was recovered unharmed,” police said, adding they are thankful for community members that helped relay information to officers.