Two people arrested after 6-hour car chase, crime spree from Lions Bay to Cypress Mountain

Jan 30 2017, 9:09 am

Two individuals are facing a number of charges following a crime spree and car chase yesterday, including a collision with an unmarked police vehicle, across an area spanning from Lions Bay along the Sea to Sky Corridor to Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver.

Altogether, the crime spree and car chase lasted for approximately six hours and was the cause of major traffic delays in the North Shore.

According to a release from West Vancouver Police, a 31-year-old man of no fixed address and a 28-year-old Coquitlam woman were arrested Saturday after a series of events involving four police police agencies and the RCMP’s Air One helicopter.

“West Vancouver Police appreciate public patience with traffic disruptions and delays necessary to bring this investigation to a safe conclusion with suspects in custody,” read a media release. “West Vancouver Police thank our partner police agencies for their rapid response and support.”

Car thefts and crash with a police vehicle

Just before noon on Saturday, West Vancouver Police were informed of a suspicious vehicle report to Squamish RCMP near Lions Bay. Police say the complaint involved a car that was reported stolen from Burnaby on January 26, and it was subsequently linked to a number of crimes after the original car theft report.

The suspect vehicle was found abandoned within minutes at Kelvin Grove Beach in Lions Bay, where a second vehicle was reported stolen. This prompted West Vancouver Police to immediately begin patrols for the second stolen vehicle.

An officer driving an unmarked police vehicle briefly sighted the suspect vehicle in the 3100 block of Marine Drive in West Vancouver and proceeded to follow the suspects. But the suspects crashed their vehicle into the officer’s vehicle and fled the area. The officer was not injured, but was unable to pursue the suspects.

Driving in the wrong direction on Highway 1

West Vancouver Police, North Vancouver RCMP, and Vancouver Police performed traffic checks at key roadway points in the North Shore to contain and search for the suspects. At the same time, they responded to a series of newly reported offences linked to the suspects.

Just after 1:30 pm, a pair of individuals reported being robbed of a purse and wallet in the 1000 block of Inglewood Avenue in West Vancouver.

Shortly after, there were reports of a vehicle abruptly making a u-turn and driving in the wrong direction on the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Stole another car, this time a Porsche

The suspects stole another vehicle at approximately 2:30 pm, when police received a report of a car theft from the 900 block of Cross Creek Road in West Vancouver. The previous getaway vehicle stolen earlier in the afternoon from Lions Bay was found at the scene.

Police located the suspects in the stolen Porsche in a residential area just off Cypress Bowl Road. A spike belt was deployed, but the vehicle still managed to flee the area despite making contact with the spikes.

With the help of the RCMP helicopter and sightings reported by citizens, police were able to learn that the suspects backtracked on their route. They returned closer to the Sea to Sky corridor; the Porsche was located in Whytecliff Park where a robbery attempt was reported.

Both suspects were arrested with the assistance of the Vancouver Police’s K9 Unit just before 6:30 pm.

Numerous charges recommended

The suspects remain in police custody pending a first appearance at North Vancouver Provincial Court. Police are recommending the following charges:

  • Possession of Stolen Property
  • Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Robbery
  • Flight from Police
  • Assault Causing Bodily Harm
  • Several charges of Theft
DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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