Regina police lay charges after vehicle crashes into Royal Saskatchewan Museum

The Regina Police Service says it’s laid charges after a vehicle crashed into the Royal Saskatchewan Museum on Tuesday night.

Police say they were called to the corner of Albert Street and College Avenue for a report of a collision at about 7:15 p.m.

Several of their units attended the scene including the canine unit, according to police.

Officers found a white Chevrolet Malibu, confirmed by police to be stolen, with deployed airbags and blood visible on both the interior and exterior of the car.

Police say nobody was inside the car when officers arrived.

Shortly after responding, police say they encountered the man inside the museum and after a brief foot chase he was arrested.

Police say the man was cut on his arm and taken to the Regina General Hospital before being taken to the police station.

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The investigation indicated the man was driving southbound on Albert Street and made an eastbound turn into the museum’s parking lot and continued driving straight into the south side doors of the building, according to police.

Okimaw Bear, 28, is charged with driving while prohibited, break and entering while committing mischief and theft of auto under $5,000.

Royal Saskatchewan Museum reacts to collision

It was news Peter Menzies, the museum’s director, didn’t expect to receive.

“There’s the occasional incident with individuals, but never anything violent of that nature. It was very unexpected,” Menzies said.

Menzies said he can’t give a clear estimate on the cost of fixing all the damage, but he expects it to be in the range of the tens of thousands of dollars.

Outside the obvious costs related to the infrastructure itself, Menzies said the suspect left quite the mess in other parts of the museum.

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“Our kitchen was pretty much a mess, so we cleaned everything out of there because somebody decided to have lunch while they were here,” Menzies said.

“The fridge is gone, the microwave is gone, everybody’s coffee cups, but that’s not a huge expense.

“The person who entered the building had cut themselves on the glass entering, so there was a trail of blood. That obviously is of concern.”

Menzies said he was happy to see the suspect did not enter the gift shop, the auditorium, the basement and the lower level of the CN T. rex Gallery.

The museum is expected to reopen on Friday.