An Alberta man is facing charges after a police used a helicopter to track a stolen vehicle that didn’t stop driving down the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden, B.C. even after its tires were deflated.
The RCMP said the incident began when police received a series of reports that a car reported stolen in Vernon had collided with other vehicles in two separate crashes and was being driven erratically.
“Given the way this vehicle was being operated our main concern was the safety of other motorists on the highway, and a decision was made to stop traffic to prevent further incidents,” said Sgt. Betty Watson in a media release.
Police put out two spike belts on the Trans-Canada Highway, 55 kilometers west of Golden. The belts were able to pop all of the car’s tires but they couldn’t stop the vehicle. RCMP said it kept going east down the Trans-Canada Highway “at a high rate of speed.”
Police determined the safest course of action was to follow the stolen car from the air in a helicopter.
Police said they spotted the stolen car in Golden and tried to stop it but it took off.
An hour and a half after police got the first collision report, police said they were informed that the stolen car was now east of Golden and had been parked in the middle of the highway.
At that location a man had allegedly tried to steal another car. However, police said others on the scene “were able to hold the male down until police arrived.”
Raven Beaverbones, 21, has been charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from a peace officer.