Date: Saturday, January 16, 2021
File: 21-2159
Victoria, BC – Patrol officers arrested a man last night after he rammed an occupied police vehicle.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m. a Patrol officer was travelling in the 600-block of Finlayson Street, on the way to an unrelated call for service, when a minivan approached the police vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. The minivan was travelling at high speed and crossed the centre line of the road, narrowly missing the police vehicle. The minivan continued to drive dangerously in the area, travelling at high speed and closely approaching the police vehicle several times.
The minivan then fled the scene and the officer pursued the vehicle due to the risk to public safety posed by the suspect’s behaviour. The minivan led the officer to the parking lot of a multi-unit temporary housing facility in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street. The minivan then rammed the police vehicle in the parking lot at that location, causing damage to both vehicles.
The minivan then fled the scene at high speed and then lost control, striking a cement retaining wall in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street. Patrol officers, with the assistance of Saanich Police officers, arrested the driver of the minivan at that location.
The driver of the minivan was transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services paramedics. The man was cleared medically and transported to cells at VicPD, where he was held to await court.
The officer who was rammed by the suspect vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He received medical attention at the scene and did not complete his shift.
“We are thinking of the officer who was involved in the incident last night and their family,” said Chief Del Manak. “We are thankful that the officer was not seriously injured or killed in this incident. However, this is a reminder of the risks our officers face everyday while working to keep our community safe.”
Detectives with VicPD’s Investigative Services Division are continuing the investigation. VicPD would like to thank the officers of the Saanich Police Department who assisted with this file.
Investigators continue to gather information about this incident. If you witnessed this incident or have information please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654, extension 1. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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