The West Shore RCMP arrested two suspects in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after being led on a game of cat and mouse throughout Colwood and Langford.
Police were initially contacted just after 6:00 a.m. on July 13, after a concerned citizen observed two men in a silver pickup truck who appeared to be scoping out vehicles on Bidwell Place in Colwood. One of the suspects had removed a licence plate from a parked vehicle before leaving the area. The witness provided police with a detailed description.
An RCMP patrol officer was able to locate the suspicious pickup truck with the suspects inside and attempted to stop the vehicle, on Luxton Rd near Sooke Rd, but the pickup truck fled. Another RCMP patrol officer spotted the vehicle again on Walfred Rd, driving toward him. The officer attempted to block the road, however the suspects were able to drive around him, and again flee.
A few moments later, another alert citizen, who witnessed the suspect pickup truck flee from police earlier, recognized it as it pulled in front of him on Jacklin Rd in Langford. Police were alerted of the suspect vehicle’s location and were able to close in on it on Langford Pkwy.
As police were arriving from multiple directions, the two suspects fled on foot and attempted to carjack a motorist, who had stopped on the side of the road. The carjacking attempt was not successful as the motorist was able to lock his doors and drive away.
The two suspects, 41-year-old John Shaw of Mill Bay and 30-year-old Daynen Geise, of Duncan were caught after a brief foot chase and were taken into custody. Shaw was found to have an outstanding warrant in Victoria, for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle from April 25th, 2016.
According to police, a detailed report to Crown Counsel has been provided for consideration of criminal charges.
“Those alert citizens were a major role in the apprehension of these two dangerous suspects,” states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson of the West Shore RCMP, “This is just another great example on how the public can help us protect our communities.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS.
