Oceanside RCMP successfully arrested a pair of suspects after they crashed a stolen vehicle into a police vehicle near Qualicum Beach before attempting to flee on Tuesday, March 20.
Police were patrolling a Qualicum Beach forest service road at approximately 11 p.m. on March 20 when they saw a vehicle they knew to be stolen slowly drive toward them, according to an RCMP news release.
“Police attempted to stop the vehicle by activating their emergency equipment but it hit the police vehicle, causing minor damage, and took off,” the release stated.
RCMP then co-ordinated with officers in the area to set up a spike belt ahead of where the stolen vehicle appeared to be traveling.
The belt was set up on Highway 19 in Parksville.
“The suspect vehicle drove over the device, resulting in the puncture of all four tires, and continued on for approximately two kilometres before coming to a stop in a ditch,” reads the release.
Both occupants, one from Parksville and one from Nanaimo, are known to police and have a number of outstanding warrants for their arrest.
The pair were arrested and charged with multiple offences (including possession of a firearm without a licence) and remain in custody pending a court appearance.
The vehicle the two suspects were driving had been stolen from a Parksville marina on Friday, March 2, according to the release.
— NEWS Staff/
Oceanside RCMP release