Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 28/99) - A police chase through downtown Yellowknife and Old Town ended when the driver of a stolen GMC truck drove onto the Dettah ice road and got stuck late yesterday afternoon.

Three juveniles -- two females and the male driver -- took off across the ice on foot after getting the truck stuck in deep slush.

Municipal Enforcement Officer Doug Willard was first to come in contact with the vehicle at Franklin Ave and 47th Street, after several complaints were called in about the vehicle driving erratically.

Willard said he attempted to pull the vehicle over but it sped off. He said he continued the pursuit for about 30 seconds, but called it off because of the danger involved and called RCMP.

Municipal Enforcement arrived within minutes with two snowmachines and pursued the youths to the Old Town Pumphouse, off School Draw Avenue, where they were arrested without incident.

RCMP Sergeant Marlin Degrand confirmed the youths in the vehicle are from the Yellowknife area and that the truck was reported stolen from Grande Prairie, Alberta.

The driver is being charged with dangerous driving, running a stop sign and possession of stolen property.

The two female passengers are facing stolen property charges. All three youth are currently being held in cells at the Yellowknife RCMP detachment, pending a court appearance.