A two-person spree across three communities ended upside down in a Qualicum Beach ditch early Sunday morning.
The action began last week with the theft of a motor vehicle, say RCMP.
That same car turned up in Port Alberni on Sunday, April 22 when police received a call at 5:45 a.m. of a break and enter at Jay’s Lace it Up, a clothing store on Cherry Creek Road.
Police raced to the scene to find thousands of dollars worth of property had been stolen.
They fanned out to look for clues. It didn’t take long to find one. They attempted to pull over a suspicious-looking vehicle on Highway 4, only to have it take off at high speed.
The chase was on at that point and Oceanside RCMP were advised of the situation.
Corporal Jesse Foreman said police set up a roadblock by Hilliers Road and laid out a spike belt to make sure the suspect vehicle stopped. However, despite having one of its front tires entirely deflated by the spike belt, it continued to speed on.
It didn’t get far however, with the driver losing control and ending up at the intersection of Memorial Ave. and Village Way, upside down in the ditch.
The two occupants of the vehicle were not injured and ran from the scene.
After a brief foot chase Oceanside RCMP members apprehended the female driver. However, the male passenger was not located at the scene despite the efforts of a police dog team. His identity however has since been established.
Property stolen from the clothing store was recovered from the suspect vehicle,
The 29-year-old female suspect is in police custody in Port Alberni awaiting her court appearance and a warrant has been requested for her accomplice.
Police are recommending a number of charges against the duo, including break enter and theft over $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Port Alberni Cpl. Jen Allan said the arrest shows how the different detachments can work together as a seamless unit.
“With swift and effective communication, Port Alberni officers were able to summon their Oceanside Detachment colleagues to provide immediate assistance in apprehending the fleeing offenders,” she said.
