East Calgary Twin Arenas operations manager Ross Harris suddenly noticed two tipsy strangers trying to steal a Zamboni from the garage. (NADIA MOHARIB/QMI AGENCY)

CALGARY — Their car stuck in the slush, two apparently drunk men allegedly committed the most Canadian of crimes — they tried to steal a Zamboni.

Unfortunately, for the seemingly sloshed suspects, before the pair could free their car Thursday afternoon, they were arrested by police.

Ross Harris, operations manager at the East Calgary Twin Arenas, said he was working in an office at the facility alone when he noticed the Zamboni, which was parked inside, on the move.

"I happened to see the Zamboni going outside on the camera system" he said. "I really wondered what was going on."

He soon learned at least one of two men had walked into the building and broken into the garage area where the ice-grooming machine was parked.

When he got outside, the pair, one behind its wheel, were trying to push the car free of an icy stretch of pavement.

They seemed utterly unapologetic about their actions, instead asking Harris is he had a truck or tow rope to help them free their car.

At one point, the man behind the wheel of the machine stepped to the ground and it rolled backwards. Harris was forced to jump into the driver's seat just in time to steer it clear of the building.

Telling them he was going inside to get a shovel, he told co-workers to summon police for the two tipsy strangers.

About five minutes later, police were there and had the pair in custody.

Sgt. Kelly Oberg said the case is certainly unique and alcohol appears to be a factor.

"This is my first stolen Zamboni," he said.

"My understanding is they were going to use it to push a vehicle," he said. "They started it and successfully exited the building and were swiftly arrested."

Charges, including theft of a vehicle, break-and-enter, mischief and impaired driving are pending against two men in their 30s.