Charges mount against suspect in alleged crimes in B.C. and Alberta

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – A 27-year-old man could face numerous charges in two provinces after a series of break-ins in northwestern Alberta and a dangerous attempt to escape from Mounties in northeastern B.C.

RCMP in Dawson Creek say they were helping colleagues in Alberta track a stolen vehicle believed to be connected to break-ins around Grande Prairie, 130 kilometres to the southeast.

The driver had managed to elude capture in Alberta, but a Dawson Creek officer tracked the vehicle to a logging road and spotted the suspect sleeping behind the wheel.

As police tried to arrest the man, he awoke and rammed his vehicle into the cruiser, then rammed several other police vehicles as officers arrived to assist.

The suspect tried to run off but was finally nabbed, and Mounties say they located a number of items taken during the Grande Prairie break-ins.

James Shearer faces a total of eight B.C. charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon, and remains in custody, while Dawson Creek RCMP note he could also face a number of charges in Alberta.