Nanaimo RCMP said six people were arrested following a stolen-vehicle incident that spanned multiple jurisdictions.
Police said the incident began at about 8 a.m. on June 2 in the Comox Valley and eventually led officers to an area near the Nanaimo Airport.
Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in a rural area near Comox Lake. Police said the driver attempted to flee and damaged police vehicles when officers engaged with the suspect vehicle.
RCMP Air Services monitored the vehicle as it travelled south. Ground units later located the vehicle and made arrests at about 9 a.m.
Police said five people were arrested without incident at the scene. A sixth suspect was located and arrested later.
“This was a fine example of a coordinated police response across multiple jurisdictions,” said Insp. Donovan Tait, operations officer for the Nanaimo RCMP. “Thanks to timely information-sharing from our Operational Communications Center, and the support of Island District RCMP Air Services helicopter, the Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Service teams, officers were able to safely track, locate and arrest the individuals involved. Their professionalism and collaboration ensured this situation was brought to a conclusion quickly and without injury to the public or police.”
Two stolen vehicles were recovered following the incident.
Three men and three women were arrested. Police said three were released unconditionally, while the remaining three were held for a court appearance the following day.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
