A Jasper RCMP officer was injured, Nov. 23, while attempting to arrest a man suspected of stealing a car.
According to police, that morning the RCMP responded to a complaint of a stolen vehicle near Patricia Street and Hazel Avenue. When the officer arrived, he saw the suspect walking on a nearby street.
When the officer approached the 27-year-old man and attempted to arrest him, he fled on foot. A brief foot chase ensued, resulting in a significant struggle between the officer and the man.
According to acting RCMP Sgt. Ryan Gardiner, a taser was used to try and subdue the man, but was rendered useless by his layers of thick winter clothing.
During the scuffle, a bystander helped the officer hold the man down until backup arrived and an arrest was made.
As a precautionary measure, the officer and the suspect were then both taken to the hospital.
Once there, the man became agitated and combative with the hospital staff and another fight ensued, with the man wrapping his handcuff chain around the leg of the officer before attempting to bite him.
During that altercation, the officer broke a bone in his hand. As a result, he will be off work for a few weeks.聽
In relation to the incident, Codie Patrick Frakes, of Port Alberni, B.C., was charged with numerous criminal charges, including theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, carrying a concealed weapon and failure to comply with the conditions of a recognizance.
At the time of his arrest, Frakes had been on release under his own recognizance for charges in British Columbia and Alberta, with conditions to keep the peace and be on good behaviour. He was also prohibited from carrying a weapon, and on Nov. 23 was found with a concealed knife hanging on a string around his neck.
He was remanded in custody and appeared in court via CCTV on Nov. 26 to request bail.
Judge D.C. Norheim denied Frakes request, suggesting he cannot be trusted to abide by his release conditions, as was proven by his behaviour on Nov. 23.
Frakes, who appeared with a significant black eye that the Crown suggested was sustained during the altercation in the hospital, will appear in court again on Dec. 10.
The RCMP would like to thank the public for its assistance in helping to apprehend the suspect and for calling police to report the incident.
According to police, the stolen vehicle was recovered.
With files from Nicole Veerman
Paul Clarke [email protected]
