An impaired driver attempted to elude police by fleeing into a swamp, but was arrested by a VicPD canine officer and his partner.
West Shore RCMP reported a possible impaired driver to the Saanich Police Communications Centre at about 4:55am. It was described as a small pick-up truck travelling south on Hiway #1 near Helmcken Road.
At approximately 5am, the reported impaired driver was observed by a VicPD canine handler, who was ending his shift, at the intersection of Hiway #1 and Tillicum road. The truck was followed and an attempt was made to stop it on Tillicum road. The truck then pulled down Kent street, a dead end, in an attempt to elude officers.
At that time, the passenger was seen to jump out of the truck while it was still in motion. The driver of the truck then did a u-turn and drove straight at the police vehicle and would have struck it if the officer had not veered off. The truck then lost control and drove off the road into some heavy bush.
The driver fled into a heavily grassy and wooded area. The dog apprehended the driver in a swamp in four feet of water. The driver was fearful as he advised that he could not swim.
Once the driver was taken into custody, the truck was found to have been stolen a short time before and had been reported to the Sooke RCMP.
A 19 year old male, View Royal resident, well known to police, has been taken into custody. Charges being considered at this time include:
• Possession of Stolen Property
• Possession of Break-in instruments
• Breach of a Conditional Sentence Order
The investigation continues into other stolen items that were found inside the vehicle.
11-15517