Members of the St. Albert RCMP helped capture a fugitive from Hamilton this week, wanted in connection with a daring prisoner escape in November.
Aram Hadi, 20, was arrested at an apartment in Edmonton, near 104 Street and 120 Avenue on Tuesday night on a Canadian-wide warrant. He is expected to be returned to the southern Ontario city soon.
The Edmonton Police Emergency Response Team was called in for the arrest, but Hadi was apprehended without incident.
Officers in St. Albert were called to a house in Erin Ridge in the early morning hours of Jan. 10 where a house party had gone awry.
St. Albert RCMP Const. Janice Schoepp, said they believe Hadi came with a group of uninvited guests to the party, who were asked to leave.
"As he was leaving the house party he approached someone and an altercation ensued."
A 37-year-old man suffered minor injuries. Police say the accused also demanded money as he was leaving the party, but was refused.
Officers investigating the incident learned of Hadi's possible involvement and notified the Alberta She-+riff Fugitive Apprehension Support Team, which was already looking for Hadi.
Schoepp said the investigation started by the St. Albert RCMP officers helped the sheriffs to hone in on the fugitive.
"The sheriffs had been looking for him already, but it was the information provided by St. Albert police that led them to him."
Escape attempt
Hamilton Police swore out the warrant on Nov. 28, four days after two men pointed guns at correctional officers who were escorting a prisoner from a medical appointment.
The two guards were escorting Fawad Nouri from a Hamilton hospital when two armed men confronted them and pulled Nouri away.
The trio then stole the officers' vehicle before dumping it a few kilometres away.
Nouri and two other men were arrested three days later. Police have declined to specify what Hadi's role is alleged to have been.
Hamilton Police have charged Hadi with one count of assisting an escape from custody and one count of breach of probation.
Sgt. Barry Mungar with the Hamilton Police Service wouldn't reveal exactly what role Hadi is alleged to have played in the escape because the investigation is continuing.
"It is before the courts and that is going to have to come out in time," he said. "He is considered to be an accomplice, hence the charge, but I can't really say more than that."
Prisoners being transferred on medical appointments are not informed about the timing of their appointments and the police in Hamilton are investigating how that aspect of the escape became known as well.
Schoepp said the St. Albert RCMP expects to lay charges against him in connection with the altercation, but they have not yet been sworn.
A judicial hearing is expected soon to deal with his transfer back to Hamilton. Schoepp said his Hamilton charges will take precedence over the St. Albert matters.
"They would deal with those charges first and then if need be, he could be brought back here."
