Police seek suspect wanted for threatening trucker with gun on Highway 40

Police have released a sketch of a suspect who aimed a long-barreled gun at a truck driver in Highway 40 in Alberta, Canada earlier this month.

Truck Driver Unhurt After Suspect In Black Pickup Points Gun

The incident happened near Grande Prairie on November 11 just after 10 a.m.

From Grande Prairie police:

“A semi-truck was travelling on a service road when a black pickup truck pulled out in front. The black pickup truck approached a three way intersection and turned onto Big Mountain Road. When the semi pulled up to the intersection, the driver noticed that the black pickup truck was backing up a short distance.

A male driver was seen getting out of the truck and grabbing what appeared to be a long barrel firearm from the back seat. The male then proceeded to point it at the driver of the semi. The semi proceeded through the intersection without any further incident. No shots were fired and no one was injured during this occurrence.“

Along with a sketch of the suspect, police also released a physical description.

• Caucasian male
• Between the age of 40-45 years old
• 6’0”/210 lbs – 220 lbs
• Ear length dark curly hair
• Wearing grey sweat pants, camouflaged jacket and round/oval shooting glasses.

Tanker Truck Takes Shotgun Fire Nearby Weeks Before

A similar string of incidents was reported in the area on October 18. Around 4 p.m., a northbound tanker truck on Highway 40 was shot by a person in a pickup truck traveling southbound on the highway. The truck sustained fairly serious damage but the truck driver was unhurt.

Driver Matt Forsythe took to Facebook to warn other drivers about the incident. He wrote:

“So im posting this with permission of my company as warning to all drivers in grande prairie area. Yesterday around 15:45 i was headed southbound on highway 40 with my tanker truck when a late model f 2 or 350 crew cab ( jacked up with black 20 inch rims and roughly 35 to 38 inch tires) was approaching me northbound. As he passed me the back of his cab was in line with my stack i heard a loud bang. Thinkin i had blown a tire or an air bag i began checking my mirror for flying rubber. Seeing no signs of that i began monitering my air pressure. Again no issues. I pulled off on the canfor to check my truck over. Thats when i looked up and saw the hole in the front of my trailer. Upon further inspection i discovered someone had shot at me with a shot gun. Be careful put there drivers and be extra vigilate. I would also like to thank the dot officer that stopped and stayed with me during the whole ordeal. Thank you officer Lockseth. The rcmp were contacted and made aware. If anybody else has experienced this within the last few days please contact me. Thank you.”

You can see photos of the damage that Forsythe’s tanker truck sustained in the Facebook post below.

Police later said that there were three confirmed similar incidents within the span of half an hour on October 18. They have not confirmed whether these incidents are related to the November 11 incident.

If you have information, you’re asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment at 780-830-5700.