LANGLEY, B.C. — A man is in custody after a police chase that ended with a stolen semi-truck driving through a public dock and into the Fraser River.
It all began around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday near 24 Avenue and 206 Street in Langley.
Officers first noticed the truck had mismatched licence plates.
About four hours later, police attempted to stop the vehicle with the assistance of Integrated Police Dog Services.
“He started ramming the police cars, and these were deliberate attempts to immobilize a police car, and he fled from police,” said Sgt. Zynal Sharoom, of the Langley RCMP.
Police say he did strike one cruiser, but fortunately no one was hurt.
“He continued to drive in a manner that was very dangerous and posed a very high risk to the public. This driver ran through multiple red lights, overtook multiple vehicles at a very high rate of speed,” said Sharoom.
Officers deployed a spike belt, but were only successful in deflating one tire.
“The suspect’s driving behaviour posed a significant risk to public and police safety; therefore, the Langley RCMP front-line officers initiated a pursuit to stop the threat,” said Sharoom.
The semi-truck traveled into Surrey, through multiple residential neighborhoods.
A second spike belt was deployed and successfully disabled the semi-truck’s rear tires.
Police say they received many 911 calls from terrified drivers on the road.
“It could have been a very harrowing experience, you know, trying to see a semi-truck blow past you at a very high rate of speed,” said Sharoom. “Its tires were deflated, so there must have been sparks flying at that time, and multiple police cars.”
The pursuit continued northbound on 176 Street to Highway 17, and then westbound into the Bridgeview area of Surrey.
“In a final reckless manoeuvre, the semi-truck was driven into a public dock area occupied by several dozen people,” said Sharoom.
Police say the suspect then fled the submerged vehicle on foot and was arrested with the assistance of the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team a short distance away.
”This was an incredibly dangerous situation involving a suspect who showed zero regard for public safety or the lives of our officers,” said Sharoom.
Police say no one was hurt.
The suspect is a 40-year-old man who is known to police, and he remains in custody.
RCMP are expected to recommend multiple charges, including assault of a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.
Anyone with information about the incident who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact the Langley RCMP.
