A Prince Albert RCMP officer was bear sprayed while attempting to conduct a vehicle stop last Friday morning.

The incident happened in the 200 block of 12th Street West around 11:45am. A person inside discharged the bear spray and the vehicle sped away.

The vehicle was spotted in the 2700 block of 2nd Avenue West about 40 minutes later. Another attempt was made to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to respond. The driver eventually left the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Patrol members and the Canine Unit located the suspect who was hiding in a yard in the 400 block of 23rd Street East. As a result of the Canine apprehension, a 23-year-old man sustained an injury. He was taken to hospital for medical attention and then released.

Anthony Smerek from Prince Albert is charged with flight from a police officer, resisting arrest and breaching a release order.