On July 3, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Three Hills RCMP observed a vehicle parked at a local gas station with expired registration. A short time later, Three Hills RCMP received a dispatched complaint of an impaired driver travelling near the gas station. The complaint was deemed to be false and believed to have been made to distract the police from the parked vehicle.

Police attempted a traffic stop with the vehicle after it left the gas station; however, it fled at a high rate of speed on a gravel road. The driver and passenger were identified with the assistance of CCTV from the gas station. Police continued the investigation and were able to identify the address of the driver.

On July 15, 2026, at approximately 10:39 a.m., Three Hills RCMP obtained a warrant to enter the dwelling house of the driver in Trochu, Alta. Police located and arrested the driver and, while inside the residence, located an unsecure firearm.

Kerry Wagstaff (60), resident of Trochu, has been charged with the following:

• Flight from police

• Unsafe storage of a firearm

• Drive uninsured motor vehicle

• Drive motor vehicle without subsisting certificate of registration

Wagstaff was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released from custody with conditions. His next court date is Aug. 14, 2026, at Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller.

The false report made to the Three Hills RCMP is still under investigation, and a charge of public mischief is anticipated.