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Grande Prairie RCMP

Grande Prairie man charged following pair of incidents

Aug 11, 2020 | 12:51 PM

A Grande Prairie man is facing several charges after drugs and weapons were discovered during the search of a vehicle on Friday south of the city.

At around 11:45 a.m. on August 7, Grande Prairie RCMP were called out to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near the Canfor bridge. That vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that was reportedly driving dangerously the night before. Police had attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspect was able to evade police at the time of the incident.

An adult male, along with a female youth, were located inside the vehicle upon police arrival. After “ensuring the vehicle would not become mobile”, both individuals were called out of the vehicle. The adult male exited while allegedly holding a knife but he did drop it quickly and was arrested without further incident. The female youth passenger was also taken into custody.

The vehicle was then searched, which turned up a replica handgun, a machete, 16 grams of cocaine and a backpack containing drug paraphernalia. Brass knuckles were also seized from the male suspect.

Twenty-four-year-old Joshua Walters-Dugas has now been charged with:

  • Possession of a controlled substance (Cocaine)
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Four counts of fail to comply with an undertaking condition
  • Six counts of fail to comply with release order condition

Walters-Dugas was also arrested for 22 outstanding warrants, including the incident from August 6 where he allegedly evaded police.

Police say while he fled in that incident, a female passenger attempted to exit the vehicle but was dragged for approximately 100 yards before being able to get free. The female suffered a fractured ankle and several cuts and bruises.

In that case, Walters-Dugas has additionally been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and flight from a peace officer.

Walters-Dugas has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on Wednesday, August 12. The female youth from the August 7 incident was arrested on an outstanding warrant and has since been released from custody.