Helicopter deployed as suspect in stolen car evades police, crashes into police car

Updated at 3:30 p.m.

(With files from George Henderson mycariboonow)

A 27-year old Quesnel man has now been charged in connection with an incident over the weekend that saw a suspected stolen vehicle collide with a police cruiser.

Eric Roger Johnson is facing one count each of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle, Impaired Driving, Assaulting a Peace Officer, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and two counts of Failing to Stop for Police.

Quesnel RCMP received a report of a stolen pick-up from the parking lot of a retail business on Sunday afternoon at around 2-30.

The vehicle was located travelling north on Highway 97 towards Prince George.

Police say the driver ignored an attempt to stop the vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed.

In the interest of public safety, the officers did not pursue, but with the aide of a helicopter, the suspect vehicle was located near Red Rock.

RCMP say they once again attempted to stop the vehicle but that it again sped away.

Finally, police say they eventually intercepted the vehicle on Massey Drive in Prince George just before four o’clock, which is when the collision occurred.

The driver, the lone occupant, was arrested without further incident.

RCMP say he was transported to the hospital to checked by medical personnel as a precaution.

No police officers were hurt.

The suspect was due to appear in court today.

Original story below:

It took high speeds and helicopter to eventually chase down a suspected truck thief from Quesnel over the weekend.

According to a news release from the RCMP, just before 2:30 PM on Sunday they received a report of a stolen pick-up from the parking lot of a business in Quesnel.

Officers located the vehicle travelling north towards Prince George on Highway 97, the driver fled at high speeds and in the interest of public safety, officers did not give chase.

Prince George RCMP, with the assistance of an Air 3 helicopter, located the vehicle near Red Rock approximately 30 kilometres south of Prince George.  After the driver again refused to stop, the vehicle was tracked into Prince George.

Just before 4:00 PM, multiple General Duty officers intercepted the vehicle near the southwest end of Massey Drive in Prince George.  While attempting to evade police, a collision occurred between the stolen vehicle and a marked police car.

The driver (who was the lone occupant) was arrested without further incident. Alcohol was a factor. 

As a precaution, the suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked by medical personnel and no police officers were injured.

A 27-year-old Quesnel resident was held in custody overnight and will appear in Provincial Court later today.