Police cruiser staked out on Sixth St. at Howard Ave, part of perimeter established in Harewood late Friday afternoon. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Kyle Ireland

Crazy Chase

Nanaimo RCMP looking for missing driver following Harewood pursuit

Oct 24, 2020 | 11:48 AM

NANAIMO — Mounties are hoping a man who led police on a chase Friday afternoon and then fled on foot will turn himself in.

According to the RCMP, officers witnessed a possible drug transaction in Harewood around 4:00 p.m. on Friday Oct. 23.

When police attempted to stop the vehicle involved, the driver sped off. The vehicle was found a short time later in the 900 block of Howard Ave.

“Our officers blocked the driveway in an attempt to speak with the driver but the driver had different intentions, he actually rammed his car into the police cars and got out of the driveway and around a house,” Cst. Gary O’Brien said.

The driver then went down a 10 foot embankment and when officers attempted to grab the driver, he took off again.

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About 10 minutes later the car was found abandoned in Fifth St.

“A police dog was deployed and we set up a containment of the area and the driver of the vehicle was not found,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the police cruiser sustained significant damage and they’re concerned for the driver’s safety.

“We’re not sure if there are any injuries sustained to the driver and we’re hoping he turns himself in,” O’Brien said.

The car was not reported stolen and police are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward with information.

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