A man is in custody after driving his vehicle into multiple police cruisers Monday night in Nanaimo.
The incident unfolded at approximately 11:45 pm on March 15, on Terminal Ave near Comox Road.
The first incident began when an officer driving a marked police vehicle was side-swiped in the north bound lane, near the intersection of Terminal Ave and Comox Road. No other cars were present.
The officer had the police vehicle’s emergency equipment and siren activated to assist an unrelated call.
The vehicle — an older model grey pickup — continued northbound through the intersection at a high rate of speed, while the officer broadcasted a description of the vehicle to other officers.
The suspect was then located by two officers at the intersection of Prideaux Street at Fitzwilliam.
The driver appeared to steer his pickup intentionally into the two police vehicles that were parked on the side of the street.
After colliding with these vehicles, the suspect drove into the side of a building. He then attempted to back up and drive away, but his vehicle was pinned by an approaching police vehicle.
The suspect driver then got out of his vehicle and charged at the officer, who deployed a taser and pepper spray.
The suspect was then handcuffed and arrested.
There were no reported injuries to any officers involved.
“Our officers have had extensive interactions with this individual, with a number of the calls having a mental health component,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The 57-year-old local man is in police custody on numerous charges and four police vehicles were damaged.
The man is expected to make an appearance in Nanaimo Provincial court on Tuesday, March 16th.
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