Man found asleep in stolen Mercedes faces dozens of charges

The RCMP logo is pictured on a police cruiser. (File photo)

Strathmore RCMP have laid dozens of charges against a man found asleep in a stolen vehicle.

Officers were on patrol in the Strathmore industrial park just after midnight on Jan. 9 when they came across a Mercedes Benz SUV parked in the middle of Slater Road.

RCMP determine the vehicle was stolen, and said it had been involved in “several property crimes” in the Calgary area.

Mounties boxed the vehicle in and placed a tire deflation device in front of the rear wheels to prevent it from going anywhere.

“The driver eventually woke up,” RCMP said in a Tuesday news release. “The vehicle rolled forward across the tire deflation device, flattening both rear tires, before stopping.”

Mounties took the driver into custody when he eventually exited the vehicle.

A search of the Mercedes Benz yielded a sawed-off shotgun with ammunition.

“The vehicle was also filled with stolen property including tools, several pieces of identification, financial documents, vehicle registration/insurance documents, several sets of vehicle keys, break in instruments, a prohibited weapon and bear spray,” said RCMP.

A 25-year-old man, of no fixed address, is facing 24 charges.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4.

RCMP say further charges may be laid as the investigation continues.