An Eckville man is facing charges after police from Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House were led on a high-speed pursuit last week.
Rocky Mountain House RCMP received a call of an armed robbery at around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, after a reportedly armed man allegedly held up a gas station in the Alhambra area.
The man was said to have fled the gas station with cigarettes and cash of an undisclosed amount.
RCMP from Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House responded to the area immediately, and the suspect was located driving a stolen vehicle in a dangerous manner.
Police activated their sirens and emergency lights, but the suspect refused to stop, instead leading police on a brief, but high-speed, chase.
A short while later, RCMP arrested the suspect in Red Deer, ending a scenario police feel could have had “very serious consequences.”
“These types of incidents are very volatile and have the potential to be of very serious consequences for both the public and our officers,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Groves of the Rocky Mountain House RCMP. “Fortunately, no one was physically injured during the armed robbery and subsequent pursuit.”
Nelson Ryan Gomes, 29, of Eckville, is facing 18 charges, including armed robbery, flight from police, wearing a disguise with intent, dangerous driving, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The suspect was remanded and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday (Aug. 31).