Youth charged with mischief after Pride crosswalk damaged

Lethbridge Police have charged a 17-year-old male with mischief for damaging the Pride crosswalk dowtntown.

On August 24, at approximately 4:30 p.m., witnesses reported a male operating a truck perform a burnout across the Pride crosswalk at the intersection of 3 Avenue and 7 Street South, resulting in black tire marks. The witnesses told police the driver of the vehicle then exited and appeared to use his phone to record the damage. A description of driver and vehicle, including the license plate, was provided and a police officer in the area located the subject within a few minutes. He was subsequently arrested without incident.

Upon inspection of the offending vehicle, multiple equipment violations were also noted and a member of the Traffic Response Unit attended. Due to the numerous equipment violations, the truck was towed under Section 66 of the Traffic Safety Act. All infractions must be remediated and the truck brought into compliance with the Vehicle Equipment Regulation within 30 days and inspected by police before it can return to the road. 

The 17-year-old male, of Taber, who cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with mischief under $5,000. He was released from custody and is scheduled to attend youth court on November 13. 

In addition, the youth was subsequently issued violation tickets for: stunting , two counts of operating a motor vehicle with non-compliance windshield and window glazing, exhaust muffler producing excessive noise, drive or operate a vehicle if exhaust outlet or muffler widened, and body/fender or mudguard of a motor vehicle not covering width of tire. The specified penalties for the tickets total over $1,100.