Cochrane RCMP’s Stoney Nakoda satellite detachment used air support to successfully locate four stolen vehicles on the Stoney Nakoda Nation on July 26.

Several charges were also laid against 28-year-old Fergus Hunter of the Stoney Nakoda Nation, after he attempted to flee the scene, hitting an RCMP vehicle along the way.

The one-day operation saw ground officers closely coordinate with an RCMP helicopter, brought from Edmonton, to search for abandoned and suspicious vehicles on backroads and cutlines where stolen vehicles have commonly been recovered before.

One of the vehicles recovered was burned out, and another had been reported missing out of Calgary almost a year ago, says RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.

During the operation, officers attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle, which did minor damage to an RCMP  vehicle while fleeing.

"Because we had the helicopter, we were able to coordinate some response to that, located the vehicle abandoned, and soon afterward located the driver of that vehicle," says Cpl. Savinkoff.

Hunter has been charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, and three breaches of conditions.

He has been remanded in custody. His next court appearance is on July 30 in Calgary.