SASKATOON — A 31-year-old man is facing several charges after an incident where the accused accelerated towards police in a vehicle, almost striking officers and a patrol vehicle.
On April 20, at around 10:30 p.m. while on patrol, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle at the intersection of 21st Street West and Avenue P South. The vehicle began to evade police and simultaneously, another vehicle which was determined to have a falsely displayed license plate also evaded police.
The vehicles continued to the intersection of 11th Street West and Avenue P South where a tire deflation device was successfully deployed on both vehicles. Both vehicles continued to evade in different directions. One of the vehicles came to a stop at the intersection of 17th Street West and Avenue H South where a high-risk traffic stop was initiated but the vehicle was put in reverse and began to accelerate towards police, almost striking officers and a patrol vehicle. The vehicle then continued to evade at high rate of speed at points driving into oncoming traffic and attempting to make contact with patrol vehicles.
Officers were eventually able to stop the vehicle, but the driver began resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. The 31-year-old man was arrested and a further search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating ammunition. Through their investigation, officers also learned the vehicle had been reported stolen from Yorkton.
The suspect has been charged with four counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer, dangerous driving, evading police, possession of stolen property over $5,000, and possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order. He was also found to be wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his statutory release.
The other vehicle was later located unoccupied, parked and running in the 200 block of Avenue N South. Through further investigation, officers learned the vehicle had been reported stolen following a break and enter to a business in the 800 Block of 43rd Street East days prior.
