Police Cars Rammed

by RCMP - Story: 22553 Sept. 28, 2006 Castanet
A second Vernon police pursuit this week resulted in significant damage to two police cars after a fleeing car thief repeatedly rammed them while attempting to escape. The pursuit started at 8:45 pm Wednesday night when the owner of a 1989 Toyota 4-Runner spotted his own stolen vehicle northbound on Old Kamloops Road. Three Vernon police cars responded to the call and intercepted the stolen Toyota at the intersection with Highway 97. The thief refused to respond to stop and a pursuit ensued along Hwy 97, Westside Rd and onto Irish Creek road where the stolen vehicle turned onto private property. Police were able to block the driveway but the suspect rammed the police car in an attempt to escape. He then backed up and rammed the police car behind him as well. Both vehicles were repeatedly rammed by the suspect and two police officers narrowly escaped serious injury as they exited their vehicles and attempted to arrest the driver on foot. Police say it was a harrowing experience for the officers involved. It was only when the stolen vehicle became jammed between the gated entrance and a police car that police were able to remove the driver from the Toyota and take him into custody. The 31 year old Enderby man faces six criminal code charges, included assault of a Police Officer. At the time of his arrest, he was already on probation and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Also in the vehicle were two other females and a male. All were arrested for Possession of Stolen Property.