WHEATLAND COUNTY, Alta. – On Sept. 9, at 3:43 a.m., Airdrie RCMP encountered a suspicious vehicle at a gas station in Crossfield. The driver noted the police and quickly drove away. The driver then committed a driving offence of failing to signal upon entering the roadway, and a traffic stop was attempted, however, the driver fled. A pursuit was not initiated but the licence plate was obtained, which confirmed that this vehicle had been stolen from a residence in Calgary hours earlier. Surveillance was completed on this stolen vehicle, and the occupants were observed ditching the vehicle and getting picked up by a truck. The Airdrie officer was able to identify the driver, who is very known to police.
At 3:05 p.m., Didsbury RCMP received a complaint that a newer model F350 was observed on a rural property attempting to steal diesel from a farm tank. The property owner confronted the individuals who fled the property. A responding officer encountered the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and due to safety reasons, a pursuit was not initiated. This vehicle is believed to be the same truck who picked up the occupants of the stolen vehicle.
At 6:17 p.m., Drumheller RCMP received a complaint of a stolen vehicle. The complainant reported a dark blue F350 (believed to be the same from earlier) showed up to his work site. Occupants exited this vehicle and stole his blue 2022 F350 Tremor, and then both vehicles fled the site. Shortly after, Drumheller RCMP received a complaint that a blue F350 was ramming a gate on a rural oil lease site. Officers responded and encountered two blue F350’s. Both vehicles fled the area when officers activated their emergency lights.
At this point, the RCMP Real Time Operations Center (RTOC) made the decision to deploy the RCMP Emergency Response Team, as well as requesting assistance from Calgary Police Service.
At 7:54 p.m., Drumheller RCMP received a complaint from a rural property owner who spotted one of the involved vehicles in his field, which caused significant damage, believed to be one of the blue pick-ups from earlier incidents. Then at 8 p.m., a complaint was received from a member of the Rosebud Colony that a blue F350 Tremor was driving through their colony. Colony members chased them off with a last known direction to be southbound on Highway 21. Strathmore RCMP was notified that the suspects could enter their detachment area.
Officers from Strathmore, Gleichen, Airdrie, Chestermere, ERT, Calgary PDS and Calgary Police Service officers joined in the search under supervision and direction from RTOC. The suspect vehicle was located by an ERT officer at 8:14 p.m. CPS HAWCS was engaged to monitor the vehicle while officers set up a covert TDD (spike belt). This attempt was not successful and the F350 continued through rural farm fields, causing significant damage. A second covert TDD was attempted on Highway 9 near Range Road 272. The vehicle continued along Highway 9 for a short distance at which time ERT performed a tactic and stopped the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were arrested. During a search of the vehicle incidental to arrest, officers located brass knuckles, knives, and bear spray.
The driver, Nevada Desjarlais (21), of no fixed address, has been charged with the following:
- Flight from police
- Dangerous driving
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Mischief over $5000
- Mischief under $5000
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
- Drive while prohibited
- Fail to comply with conditions of release order (x2)
- Drive uninsured vehicle on a highway
Desjarlais also had numerous outstanding warrants. After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Desjarlais was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on Sept. 18, 2026.
The passenger, Jonathan Meakin (37), a resident of Calgary, has been charged with the following:
- Flight from police
- Dangerous driving
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Mischief over $5000
- Mischief under $5000
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
- Fail to comply with conditions of release order
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Meakin was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on Sept. 18, 2026.
Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, Strathmore RCMP Detachment Commander, states, “This response demonstrated effective coordination between multiple agencies and detachments to safely apprehend individuals who posed a significant risk to public safety. It also highlights the dedication and professionalism of our frontline members in working to keep our rural communities and residents safe. In this case, two individuals were involved in a crime spree that had a significant impact on several rural residents and communities. Through the coordinated efforts of our frontline members and partner agencies, these individuals were safely apprehended. While in custody, they will not be able to inflict further harm or damage to the communities we are committed to protect and serve.”
The investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected. If you believe you are a victim of this crime spree, please contact your local RCMP detachment to report any damage.
