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Police chase man for nearly two hours, struggle to subdue him

A violent prolific offender accused of stealing a car and carrying a loaded handgun led four police departments on a lengthy chase Tuesday through the Highlands and Saanich Peninsula. The man was arrested after a struggle with police about 12:15 p.m.
0415-jeep.jpg
This is a 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

A violent prolific offender accused of stealing a car and carrying a loaded handgun led four police departments on a lengthy chase Tuesday through the Highlands and Saanich Peninsula.

The man was arrested after a struggle with police about 12:15 p.m. following an hour-and-a-half pursuit, first in a stolen Jeep and then on bicycle and on foot.

“It took two members to subdue him,” said West Shore RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Berube said. The man was in possession of a loaded handgun.

It started when a bright green 1996 Jeep Cherokee was reported stolen from a residence on York Ridge Place in the Highlands about 10:45 a.m., Berube said.

An officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it was leaving a gas station at the intersection of Treanor Avenue and Millstream Road in Langford.

The driver evaded police, sparking the car chase around Willis Point and Ross Durrance roads in the Highlands.

Mounties set up checkpoints throughout the Highlands and searched driveways. The public was asked to avoid walking in the area. Police departments from Central Saanich and Saanich as well as Sidney/North Saanich RCMP joined in the chase when it looked like the man was heading toward Willis Point Road.

The Jeep was found abandoned on Sea Aira Heights, a small side street just off Willis Point Road, about 11:45 a.m.

A West Shore canine unit and Sidney RCMP officer searched the area and finally found the man on Ross Durrance Road.

He fought with the Sidney officer but was finally taken into custody. “He’s very well known to us,” Berube said. The man’s name was not released and charges have not yet been laid.

“As a result of the co-ordinated response by local officers from the West Shore and Sidney RCMP, Central Saanich PD and Saanich PD, we were able to successfully apprehend this violent suspect,” said Insp. Larry Chomyn who heads West Shore RCMP. “Our investigators are now focused on ensuring a thorough investigation is completed into all aspects of this case.”

The man is set to appear Wednesday morning in Western Communities Court.

kderosa@timescolonist.com