By Ian Holmes

High-speed chase ends with crash in Nanoose Bay

Nov 14, 2016 | 1:07 PM

NANAIMO — Dozens of RCMP officers from three mid-island detachments worked together to arrest two men who led police on a high-speed chase that ended with their arrests late Sunday morning in Nanoose Bay.

Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman says it all started early Sunday morning when police allege the suspects stole a large truck and trailer from a paving company on the Alberni Highway in Errington.

“There were several attempts by Nanaimo RCMP to stop this vehicle, including the use of a spike belt,” said Foreman. “The vehicle kept going without regard for anyone in the public and on the roadways.”

Foreman says the chase ended near the Nanoose Petro-Canada when the truck drove off the road and into the ditch while trying to avoid police. A 21-year-old Parksville man and 26-year-old man from Errington were arrested and are facing numerous charges, according to Foreman.

Foreman points out that a Nanaimo RCMP police dog helped arrest the suspects, adding that there were no injuries.

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“One of these two males is a prolific, chronic offender, just released from custody. There will be a whole list of charges associated to this crime spree.”

Foreman says police have learned that the suspects took the truck to Ladysmith, dropped off the trailer and stole items from another vehicle, then headed back to Nanaimo. Foreman says it was a Nanaimo Mountie who located the truck, which led to a pursuit involving dozens of officers.

“Two or three different circumstances it was deemed to be too dangerous to pursue, so the pursuit was called off. In this case, we set up ahead of them and followed them from a lengthy distance.”

The incident disrupted traffic in both directions on Highway 19 at Northwest Bay Road for several hours.