A chase involving the RCMP Tuesday morning resulted in two arrests in the Beacon Hill area.

Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Big Island Cree Nation Territory early Tuesday morning. Officers from the Pierceland RCMP responded and were able to locate the vehicle. They turned on their emergency lights to pull the vehicle over, but the driver instead drove away.

Police say they initiated a pursuit, but the driver was able to get away, after driving straight towards police and then swerving at the last second.

Around 8:30 a.m. the Pierceland RCMP then received a report of two men in a vehicle that matched the description of the one involved in the pursuit had attempted to steal fuel from a residence in the RM of Beaver Rover.

The car was seen again just before 9:00 a.m., and police said that once again, they drive at a high speed straight towards a police vehicle, swerving at the last second. The vehicle then drove off, only to be found a short while later. It had been abandoned just east of Beacon Hill on Highway 55. It was also determined that the vehicle had been reported as stolen from Lloydminster the previous day.

“The two males, who had fled on foot, were located and arrested around 10:30 a.m. approximately two kilometres from where they abandoned their vehicle,” said Cpl. David Horton, acting Pierceland RCMP Detachment Commander. “Their arrest was the culmination of an extensive hour-long search through snow-filled brush and fields. This is an example of the excellent collaboration between RCMP, RCMP Police Dog Services, and the Provincial Protective Services Branch.”

The two suspects are facing a number of charges. 31-year-old Josh McLaren from Lloydminster is charged with assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by crime, theft under $5,000, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The other suspect, 37-year-old Michael Fisher of Lashburn was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, theft under $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Both will appear in Pierceland Provincial Court on May 10th.