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Nanaimo RCMP is looking for the driver of a white Ford pickup truck which crashed into several police vehicles before fleeing the South Parkway Plaza parking lot in south Nanaimo on Tuesday, Jan 28. (Nanaimo RCMP)
dangerous driving

Police cruisers rammed in south Nanaimo as driver takes off

Jan 30, 2025 | 11:38 AM

NANAIMO — Local mounties are looking for the driver of a pickup truck who damaged several police vehicles while fleeing the scene of a south Nanaimo shopping centre.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, right before 7:00 p.m., officers noticed a white Ford pickup truck idling in the South Parkway Plaza parking lot with the driver who appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said officers were checking to see if the driver was in medical distress or impaired, with the truck’s license plates indicating the vehicle was missing or stolen.

“Before they could, the vehicle started moving, and the driver had different intentions. It drove directly into one of the police cars, pushed it out of the way, struck another one, and then actually drove up on the pedestrian walkway in front of the local grocery store (Country Grocer) knocking over a number of containers and then took off at a high rate of speed.”

Cst. O’Brien said luckily nobody was injured, however, two police vehicles were damaged, including one which had to be towed.

“High propensity for injury for sure, but nobody was injured in this case and no other vehicles were struck, and the materials that were broken in front of the grocery store, they contained planters, so not too significant of damage.”

The driver fled the area southbound on the Trans Canada Highway towards Ladysmith, with officers deciding not to pursue due to the high rate of speed and potential danger to the public, said O’Brien.

The driver is described as a bald Caucasian male wearing a blue jacket.

The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for anyone with dash cam footage in the area on Tuesday between 6:45 and 7:30 p.m., or any eyewitnesses to inform police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 1-250-754-2345.

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