An Island-wide crime spree that took place over a month in several communities from Victoria to Port Hardy has resulted in the arrest of a 43 year old Cowichan Valley man, and a 22 year old female.
The spree began June 14th in Duncan when a man who is Disqualified from Driving, failed to stop for police and fled the scene causing the police officer to have to take evasive action to avoid being run over. A warrant was issued for the male's arrest.
In the following weeks, he evaded police again, and became a suspect in the theft of 2 pick up trucks -- one out of Victoria, another out of Nanaimo. One of the stolen trucks was seen on video surveillance driving away with a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat taken from a Nanaimo residence.
Port McNeill RCMP confirmed a truck and boat matching the description of the stolen items was spotted in their area and circulated more photos taken from a surveillance camera. The heat was on - and it wasn't long before one of the stolen trucks was found abandoned in the bush covered in branches.
Then last Friday the second stolen pick up was located in the Chemainus area. After calling in extra resources police were able to arrest the 43 year old male and 22 year old female, and recovered numerous stolen licence plates and other items -- including a small amount of drugs and drug paraphernalia. The stolen boat was recovered from a Forest Service Road where it had been dumped.
Numerous charges are being recommended across several jurisdictions on Vancouver Island.