Fiery Vancouver crime spree ends with suspect being struck by car
A shocking crime spree involving several stolen vehicles, a fire, and a foot chase with police ended with a suspect arrested and taken to the hospital.
According to the Vancouver Police Department, the incident began just before 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, with reports that someone stole a motorcycle near Main Street and Industrial Avenue.
The suspected motorcycle thief ditched the stolen motorcycle near Mountainview Cemetery, at Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue, about an hour later, said the VPD in a release. But he wasn’t done yet.
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“(The suspect) allegedly entered a work truck parked inside the cemetery, drove it into a tree, and set a fire inside the cab of the truck,” said the VPD.
Though the suspect fled the scene, responding police officers spotted a man matching his description near the intersection of Main Street and East 41st Avenue.
Mountain View Cemetery / Facebook
“Following a brief foot pursuit, the 41-year-old suspect was taken into custody after running into traffic and being struck by a car,” added the VPD.
“He was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be serious.”
Charges have not yet been laid in the East Van crime spree.
It has been a busy time for police in Metro Vancouver.
Burnaby RCMP are searching for a suspect after a woman was violently assaulted while walking in Lobley Park last week.
Surrey Police are seeking answers after a female youth was grabbed from behind on a residential street earlier this month.
And the North Vancouver RCMP is urging the public to “remain vigilant at all times” after a recent surge in distraction thefts has impacted many of the city’s elderly residents.