Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta tow-truck driver forced to play action hero after truck stolen

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 09 Sep, 2014 11:59 AM
  • Alberta tow-truck driver forced to play action hero after truck stolen

There may be a new action hero moonlighting as a tow-truck driver in a community west of Calgary.

Brody Leimer went to pick up a truck left on the side of the road early Monday near Cochrane. While he was in the middle of hooking it up, a man drove off in the tow truck with Leimer partially inside the attached sport utility vehicle.

The SUV wasn't completely secured and Leimer was dragged down the Trans-Canada Highway at about 65 kilometres an hour.

The tires on the vehicle popped and the rims hitting the asphalt caused sparks to fly. Leimer managed to jump onto the hood and was able to scramble to the passenger side of his tow truck and somehow managed to wrench open the passenger door.

"He leaps over to his tow truck and makes his way to the passenger door, swings on in and confronts the 20-year-old male who had stolen his tow truck," said Cochrane RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.

"The male didn't go willingly. There was a bit of a fight that ensued, but fortunately Brody was able to overpower him, get the vehicle stopped and throw out the suspect of the tow truck," he said.

"It makes you think you're watching the 'Last Action Hero' or 'Mission Impossible.' Certainly something like that is a pretty amazing story."

Leimer, who works the night shift, wasn't immediately available to give his take on what happened.

But one of his supervisors, Randy Pace from Big Hill Towing, got a phone call from a shaken Leimer about 4 a.m.

He immediately drove out to where his friend was waiting in the truck and, after swinging around on the highway, found another surprise — an intoxicated man walking along the road.

"He's soaked through and through. He's shivering cold and his face is all bloody. I offer assistance to get into the truck, which he does, and I crank the heat up," said Pace.

He told his passenger he had to retrieve a first-aid kit in the back of the truck and called his boss who contacted the RCMP.

"I kept him there until the RCMP arrived."

As for Leimer's exploits, Pace said he's glad it wasn't him.

"It took him a long time to come down. He was pretty shook up and the thing could have gone sideways really quickly," he said.

"I wouldn't have expected anybody to be able to pull this off. I'm thankful it was him because I think he would have been the only guy that could have done it."

RCMP have charged Aaron Omeasoo-Stephens with impaired driving, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08, theft over $5000 and driving without a licence.

 Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter

MORE National ARTICLES

Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection

Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection
The Royal Canadian Mint on Friday unveiled four limited-edition Superman coins, reproducing colourful iconic images from DC Comics' book covers.

Royal Canadian Mint unveils new limited-edition Superman coin collection

Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting

Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting
Quebec's rookie premier, Philippe Couillard, made his presence felt at his first meeting with Canada's other premiers, agreeing Friday to have his province join in the development of a national energy strategy that had been stalled by a previous separatist government.

Quebec agrees to proceed with energy strategy at annual premiers meeting

RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor

RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor
Video footage from a dashboard camera has allowed investigators in British Columbia to rule out speed as a potential factor in a bus crash on a mountain highway where dozens of tourists were injured as they were returning from a trip to the Rocky Mountains.

RCMP say they have footage of B.C. tour bus crash; speed likely not factor

Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall

Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall
Montreal's police chief says 44 people will face criminal charges in connection with a rowdy pension protest inside city hall earlier this month.

Montreal police to charge 44 people for raucous pension protest inside city hall

Mistrial could be declared in Saskatoon murder case after Mr. Big ruling

Mistrial could be declared in Saskatoon murder case after Mr. Big ruling
The spectre of a mistrial hangs over a high-profile murder case in Saskatchewan after a Supreme Court ruling on undercover police stings.

Mistrial could be declared in Saskatoon murder case after Mr. Big ruling

Ex-Quebec teacher gets jail time for sex crimes against 15-year-old student

Ex-Quebec teacher gets jail time for sex crimes against 15-year-old student
A former Quebec high school teacher found guilty of sex crimes stemming from a relationship with a 15-year-old student will serve jail time.

Ex-Quebec teacher gets jail time for sex crimes against 15-year-old student