A prohibited driver who was behind the wheel of a motorhome was arrested after doing an alleged “switcheroo” with his passenger while fleeing from police in Abbotsford, according to authorities.
Officers attempted to stop a motorhome on Whatcom Road last week when they noticed the RV’s licence plate did not match the vehicle, the Abbotsford Police Department said in a statement.
“Instead of pulling over, the driver chose a different plan: refusing to stop, lightly rear‑ending another vehicle, and attempting to flee,” the statement from the department said.
When police stopped the vehicle, a 51-year-old woman was in the driver’s seat, but police turned their attention to her passenger almost immediately.
The 60-year-old man was “seated awkwardly facing the driver’s seat and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt,” the statement from police continued, adding that a licence check revealed the man was prohibited from driving.
“The theory was that the man had been driving, jumped out of the driver’s seat while the motorhome was still moving, and had the woman slide in to take the wheel,” according to the Abbotsford Police Department.
“Persistence paid off, and officers located video footage confirming the man was driving moments before the on‑the‑road switcheroo.”
The motorhome was impounded and police are recommending criminal charges of flight from police and obstruction against both individuals, with an additional prohibited driving charge against the man.
