Man charged after ramming police cars with stolen vehicle

A 37-year old man was arrested in Abbotsford Saturday night after stealing a vehicle and attempting to escape police by ramming into their cruisers.

The Toyota Tacoma Pickup was stolen during a residential break and enter in Burnaby on Dec. 14. On Dec 16 shortly after 9:00 p.m., a member of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service located the stolen pickup travelling eastbound on Highway 1 from the Coquitlam area.

The vehicle was tracked into Abbotsford with assistance from Abbotsford Police Officers until it entered the parking lot of the Sandman Hotel on Mt Lehman Rd. Police officers and K9 officers moved in on the vehicle backing into a parking stall.

The driver attempted to flee by ramming the police vehicles but was unsuccessful. The suspect continued to be non-compliant and police reported he was seen reaching into the vehicle, which officers suspected was in search of a weapon. Police deployed bean bag rounds and a police dog in an effort to take the suspect into custody.

During a search of the stolen vehicle, police recovered a firearm as well as stolen items from the Burnaby break-in.

Police report the suspect has a criminal record and at the time of the current arrest he was on probation and had an outstanding warrant from another province.

The suspect was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. He has since been released and is being held in custody where he awaits a bail hearing. Police are recommending numerous charges.