Six arrested south of Nanaimo following lengthy, multi-city highway chase

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW officers attempted to intervene, but the suspect fled.

“He rammed those vehicles and proceeded southbound. There was a high risk to the public, so officers via Oceanside and eventually into the Nanaimo area allowed this vehicle to go through, understanding the risk to the public, the risk of the officers was too high.”

O’Brien said a variety of resources were deployed as a result, including the RCMP’s Air 8 helicopter and Police Dog Services.

The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was tracked to the Timberlands Rd. area, south of Nanaimo Airport, and arrested shortly after 9 a.m., Cst. O’Brien confirmed.

A majority of police were staged near Cameron Rd., with officers blocking traffic on Timberlands Rd. for much of Tuesday morning.

Investigators remained on scene for several hours in attempts to locate another vehicle with four people inside.

O’Brien said they were located a short time later, however one person remains outstanding with an active search attempting to locate them.

“At this point, there is damage to several police vehicles but no police officers or members of the public were injured in the apprehension of this vehicle.”

O’Brien added the driver of the stolen pickup truck is well known to police on Vancouver Island.

“The driver of the pickup truck was arrested on outstanding warrants and possession of stolen property and is facing multiple charges which may include flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and other significant charges.”

— with files from Jordan Davidson and Ian Holmes.

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by Alex Rawnsley

Six arrested south of Nanaimo following lengthy, multi-city highway chase

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