Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Updated: 4:45 p.m.

File: 24-27234

Victoria, BC – Charges have been sworn against one man following a vehicle theft and dangerous driving through Victoria and Saanich last night. Lucus Gordon faces nine charges, including Break and Enter, Theft over $5,000, two counts of Mischief to Property over $5,000, Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon, Dangerous Driving and Flight from Police.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Monday, July 29, VicPD officers responded to a call for a break-in at a business in the 700-Block of Summit Avenue. On arriving at the scene, officers observed a male suspect in the building who then entered a vehicle and stole it from the business.

The suspect accelerated with force, narrowly missing a responding officer before striking and dislodging a metal fence, which flew into oncoming traffic on Douglas Street. The vehicle continued northbound out of sight.

Shortly after, a member of the public witnessed dangerous driving behaviour and called police. An Integrated Canine Service (ICS) unit then located the vehicle in a parking lot on the 700-Block of Finlayson Street. Officers attempted to block the vehicle from departing, but the driver struck a police vehicle with the stolen car and fled the area.

Responding officers continued to monitor the vehicle, while continually assessing the risk that the driver posed to public safety. After witnessing numerous instances of dangerous driving endangering both the public and the police, responding officers determined that the vehicle must be stopped.

A vehicle pursuit was authorized, planned, coordinated and put into action. At approximately 9:45 p.m., the vehicle travelled onto Oak Street in Saanich where two VicPD vehicles made intentional contact, successfully disabling it from fleeing and ending the risk to the community.

The suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by officers. His resistance to arrest required several officers to safely take him into custody, without injury.

One officer was transported to hospital with minor injuries.

The suspect remains in custody until his next court appearance on August 27, 2024. As this matter is now before the courts, further details about this investigation cannot be shared at this time.

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