GRANDE PRAIRIE, A.B. – A man from Hythe is facing over 50 charges after he was arrested in a bizarre incident on Groundhog Day south of Grande Prairie.

At around 4:00 a.m on February 2nd, police received a complaint of a man who was brandishing a gun on the shoulder of Highway 40 south of Grande Prairie. Mounties arrived on scene and attempted to pull the driver over, but lost sight of the vehicle when it fled due to poor weather conditions.

When officers relocated the vehicle a short time later, the male driver exited the truck and pointed a firearm at the police prior to running to a nearby oil field lease. Officers pursued on foot and arrested the man without further incident.

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40 year-old Hythe resident Cory Stephens has been charged with a total of 51 offences including six counts each of possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, and possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The full list of charges can be found below:

Flight from police

Driving while disqualified

Pointing a firearm x 2

Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public x 4

Use firearm while committing offence x 2

Possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order x 6

Possession of a firearm while unauthorized x 4

Possession of a prohibited firearm x 2

Unauthorized possession of a loaded prohibited firearm x 2

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000

Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 x 6

Fail to comply with probation order x 6

Breach of recognizance x 8

Possession of firearm in a motor vehicle x 6

Stephens has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on February 14th.