VANCOUVER – Victoria Police say they have arrested a 41-year-old Duncan man for causing numerous intentional collisions, ramming a police car and trying to run down pedestrians Thursday night.
Officers were first called at about 11:30 p.m. to Clover Point Road along Dallas Road. The 9-1-1 caller had been at Clover Point with a friend when the suspect, in a large grey truck, drove up to the driver’s side of his car and bumped up against it. The suspect then ‘floored’ the truck and tried to push the smaller vehicle out of the way. The driver of the smaller car was able to put it in reverse and get out of the way.
The suspect then took off.
The victim was able to obtain a license plate and called 9-1-1. He then followed the truck, which pulled over, seemingly to wait for the victim.
As officers were coming into the area, the driver took off down Dallas Road to Cook Street, passing a Victoria Police car. The officer turned around and followed the car into a local car dealership on Cook Street, where the driver waited for police. Officers pulled into the car dealership and the suspect reversed his vehicle, ramming the police car numerous times. Police say the suspect then slowly drove off from the parking lot and down Yates Street.
Again, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road, apparently waiting for more police to come on scene. As more officers entered the area, the vehicle drove away again towards a large group of people on the sidewalk outside a club on Yates Street. The people scattered and the driver then continued down Yates Street to Douglas Street.
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Police say this entire time, numerous officers were attempting to pull over the vehicle.
As the driver proceeded down Douglas Street he again drove towards a bus shelter with someone inside. That person also moved, thinking the car was going to hit him.
The vehicle then caused another slow-speed collision at Douglas Street and Fisgard Street before rapidly continuing down Douglas Street.
The suspect was finally intercepted in the Mayfair Shopping Centre parking lot by Saanich Police. At that time the man had exited the truck and was attempting to fight with officers. Thankfully a Saanich K9 team and many officers were able to take him into custody and end what police say was this strange and dangerous flight.
When police identified him, they contacted Duncan RCMP to have them check his home. When RCMP officers arrived they found the front door open and an active marijuana grow-op inside.
“I am extremely proud of the way both our officers, and our colleagues with Saanich Police and Duncan RCMP, were able to successfully conclude this event,” said VicPD chief const. Frank Elsner. “The hard work started last night by keeping residents of Victoria and Saanich safe and now the work will continue with what will undoubtedly be an extensive investigation.”
Victoria Police Detectives are now requesting anyone who may have witnessed this event, specifically in the following areas; Centennial Square, Clover Point, Cook and Yates streets, the bus stop at Douglas and Yates streets, Douglas and Fisgard streets or Mayfair Shopping Centre to come forward to help in the investigation. Anyone who has information is asked to call the VicPD Detective tip line at 250-995-7444 and reference file 14-25044.
Officers are looking to recommend numerous charges against the suspect including, resisting arrest, four counts of failing to stop at the scene of a collision, flight from police officer, assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and two counts of assaulting a police officer.
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