Prolific offender allegedly steals Vancouver police car, takes it on joyride

A suspect has been charged after allegedly stealing a Vancouver police car on Sunday morning.

The vehicle was stolen near Hastings and Semlin streets and driven east, where witnesses saw the driver doing donuts on the lawn of Templeton Park. A pedestrian was slightly injured jumping out of the way. Kids and parents on the playground scattered.

The shocking incident was captured on camera.

“it was going straight for the playground and Sunday morning it’s a weekend full of kids. As soon as people realized the car was going straight for them, all the kids started yelling and running away,” witness William Kerr told Global News.

Moments later, police officers arrived on the scene with a K-9 unit.

The suspect tried to flee but then jumped back into the vehicle after seeing the police dog.

“The officer then opened the passenger door to let the let the dog in,” Sgt. Steve Addison with the Vancouver police explained.

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“That chased the suspect out. The canine unit then sort of took down the suspect.”

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The event only lasted a few minutes and police said it happened after officers made an emergency stop to help a woman in distress.

“Momentarily, their attention was diverted to the woman who was in distress as the officers were trying to help her at that time,” Addison added.

He said the suspect then got into the police car and drove it away.

A pedestrian was taken to the hospital with minor injuries but it was unclear if they were clipped by the suspect driver or injured while jumping out of the way.

Dustin Walter Tallio is now charged with the following offences:

• Theft of motor vehicle, contrary to Section 333.1 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Dangerous driving causing bodily harm, contrary to Section 320.13(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Fail to remain at the scene of an accident, contrary to Section 320.16(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Fail to stop for police, contrary to Section 320.17 of the Criminal Code of Canada