Nanaimo RCMP have arrested a violent, prolific offender with the help of the ERT and K9 unit. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DRAMATIC ARREST

Emergency Response Team helps nab prolific offender

Aug 15, 2019 | 7:29 AM

NANAIMO — A violent, serial offender is in police custody following a drawn out and eventful chase..

On Saturday, Aug. 10 Nanaimo RCMP learned colleagues in North Cowichan had failed in their attempt to arrest 44-year-old John Wesley Shaw.

Shaw’s two sisters, 35-year-old Brandie Poirier and 40-year-old Angela Poirier, also evaded arrest.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW, officers were well aware of Shaw’s history.

“This is an individual for whatever reason never stops for police. He’s entered into various police pursuits, the dog has tracked and bit him a number of times and we’ve used a number of resources because he is an extremely dangerous individual.”

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The trio escaped officers in a stolen Ford F-150 and reportedly headed to the Nanaimo area.

Backup included the Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team (ERT), RCMP Air Services and the K9 unit.

“We had air support on Saturday and the search continued throughout the weekend. About 6 a.m. on Monday morning, members tracked Shaw down in a vehicle sitting stationary on a rural road in Nanaimo.”

Shaw and his sisters were arrested by Nanaimo RCMP officers shortly after, but not without one last attempt for freedom by Shaw.

“Again the fight was on, he chose not to stop, the dog (Police Services Dog Jager) got involved and eventually Shaw was arrested along with two females.”

Among items seized from the vehicle included night vision goggles, a semi-automatic rifle with ammunition and a small quantity of illegal drugs.

“He has a perpensity for violence, and we knew that he would not stop in the event a police officer confronted him. We always have to take into consideration the safety of the members and the public so those extra resources were called in.”

Shaw and his sisters appeared in court on Wednesday Aug. 14.

The trio face a total of 23 charges including possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and weapons related charges.

Shaw and Angela Poirier remain in police custody, while Brandi Poirier was released and is due in court on Sept. 24.

Shaw has a lengthy criminal history on both Vancouver Island and the interior of BC, dating back to assault charges in 2000.

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