Thursday, March 28, 2024

VicPD seek additional witnesses, dashcam footage after officer struck by stolen car

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VicPD investigators are seeking additional information after an officer was struck by a vehicle Monday morning.

The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. yesterday when a VicPD officer was struck by a stolen vehicle while on assignment in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue, outside of Our Place Society.

The officer, who was standing next to a police cruiser at the time, was struck from behind by the driver. One witness report stated the VicPD officer appeared to be pinned between the car and a dumpster.

The suspect’s vehicle was a 2008 black Chevrolet Cobalt.

The officer, a member with the force for 10-years, was transported to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries while the driver of the vehicle was arrested on scene and taken into custody.

VicPD seek further information

Now, investigators are seeking further witnesses, dashcam footage and information to assist with the case.

After further investigation, the stolen vehicle is believed to have been driving erratically near the area of the incident just prior to striking the officer.

Investigators now also believe that two cyclists were nearly struck by the vehicle prior to the incident.

Officers would like to speak with the cyclists to gather more information as well as anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam footage from the 900-block and 1000-block of Johnson Street, and the 1300-block and 1400-block of Vancouver Street from around 8:30 a.m. Monday morning.

Del Manak condemns continuing violence against police

“I am deeply concerned with the severity and volume of violent crime in our community which is impacting the very people whose duty it is to uphold the law and keep every one of us safe,” VicPD’s Chief Constable Del Manak said in a release today.

“Recently, we have seen several officers – both on-duty and off-duty – violently assaulted.  These attacks have a direct impact on the number of officers that can show up to work to keep our community safe and, equally importantly, the health and wellbeing of police officers who give so much of themselves in service to our community.”

“I worry about the human toll that these attacks continue to have on our officers,” said Chief Manak.

“This is not sustainable.”

Manak said the officer injured yesterday has served with both Victoria and Esquimalt as a front-line officer, and previously as a member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team for many years with distinction.

“He is well respected throughout our community for his compassion and understanding and has forged personal connections with many of those experiencing homelessness and mental illness.  He is one of many here at VicPD who serve this community with great pride,” said Manak.

The suspect, 27-year-old Chance Nichol, has been charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon, dangerous operation of a vehicle and possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Police said Nichol remains in custody. The VicPD officer has since been released from hospital and is recovering at home.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the VicPD non-emergency line at 250-995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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