Okanagan ‘career criminal’ declared dangerous offender

Notorious criminal Michael Ellis, 41, has been declared a dangerous offender.

The declaration means Ellis will go to jail with no set release date and could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

READ MORE: Dangerous offender hearing underway in Kelowna

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Ellis led police on a high-speed chase along Westside Road between West Kelowna and Vernon in July of 2012, where multiple shots were fired at civilians.

He initially faced 22 charges, including 5 counts of attempted murder. Ellis was acquitted on all the attempted murder charges, but found guilty on 17 other offenses including robbery and dangerous driving.

READ MORE: Kelowna man not guilty of attempted murder in Westside Road chase

The dangerous offender ruling came down at the Kelowna courthouse Wednesday morning.

Ellis has a criminal record of almost 60 convictions.

-With files from Blaine Gaffney