Stettler RCMP have arrested a suspect for the second time in 10 days for similar charges.
According to an Aug. 26 press release 70-year-old Larry Watson was arrested for charges similar to those Watson was arrested for in Stettler less than two weeks prior.
“On Aug. 22, 2022 at about 9:30 p.m., a Stettler RCMP member observed (a suspect) exit a local business and enter a motor vehicle as the driver,” stated the press release from Stettler RCMP detachment commander S/Sgt/ Bruce Holliday.
“The Stettler RCMP member was aware that (a suspect) was unauthorized to operate a motor vehicle as his licence was suspended. The Stettler member activated his emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop.” RCMP allege Watson was the driver and did not stop but rather accelerated the SUV he was driving, fleeing at a high rate of speed.
“As Stettler members continued to investigate and located the vehicle that (the suspect) had been operating, further investigation led to locating (the suspect) at a Big Valley residence, where he was taken into custody without incident,” added Holliday.
“Larry Brian Watson was charged with operation of a motor vehicle while unauthorized, flight from a peace officer, fail to comply with a release order condition and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
“Following a judicial interim release hearing, Watson was remanded into custody and transported to the remand centre to appear in Stettler provincial court on Sept. 8, 2022 for this as well as his previous matters in Stettler.
“The Stettler RCMP will continue to focus efforts to bring these individuals before the courts in response to their criminal activities and the resulting negative influences that can affect our communities,” added Holliday.
Watson was arrested Aug. 12 in Stettler and charged with six offences including possessing a substance suspected of being methamphetamine, operating a motor vehicle while unauthorized, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, open liquor in a motor vehicle and cannabis marijuana in a motor vehicle within reach of the driver.
Readers may recognize Watson’s name from a previous high-profile arrest in the region, that being in connection with a Feb. 21, 2016 police raid on a meth lab north of Stettler located on Sec. Hwy. #601. Watson was charged along with three other men.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
