A joint investigation lands an Airdrie man in custody, in connection to liquor store robberies in rural communities and a hit and run incident near Strathmore.

27 year old Christopher Ferguson out of Airdrie was arrested after the stolen SUV he was driving, collided with a motorcycle on Highway 1, near Range Road 274 on May 14th.

The man driving the motorcycle was transported to hospital in serious condition, while Ferguson ran away from the scene in an attempt to escape.

Area RCMP called in the Police Dog Unit to help them track the suspect, and were lead to Ferguson who was trying to escape through a field.

Evidence found in the stolen vehicle got the RCMP a warrant to search Ferguson's house, where they found evidence linking him to liquor store robberies in Cochrane on May 8th, Airdrie on May 11th and Carstairs earlier the same day, May 14th. 

Surveillance footage from these robberies shows Ferguson threatening the staff with a knife, in some cases he assaulted the clerks, and then ran away with cash from the registers.

Ferguson appeared in Calgary Provincial Court today, facing 20 charges including robbery with an offensive weapon, assault with a weapon, failing to comply with probation conditions, impaired operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, uttering threats and public mischief.

RCMP state they are continuing to investigate, they say further charges are expected.