Driver dragged 30 metres while trying to stop carjacking near Victoria
A driver was taken to hospital on Sunday after he tried to stop someone from stealing his car and was subsequently dragged about 30 metres behind the vehicle, according to West Shore RCMP.
Police say they received multiple reports of the carjacking at a Shell gas station in View Royal, B.C., located at 498 Island Hwy.
Mounties say a 56-year-old man had entered a 2002 Mazda Protégé at the gas station while the owner was nearby.
The owner tried to stop the theft and grabbed onto the man, who police have identified as Glenn George, at which point George started driving and dragging the owner about 30 metres.
Police say the owner was taken to hospital where he's expected to make a recovery.
DANGEROUS DRIVING AND COLLISIONS
Once in the stolen car, RCMP allege that George drove into a camper van.
He then continued to drive erratically at a high rate of speed along the Island Highway, at some points swerving into oncoming traffic, according to police.
The man then drove into a second vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf. The driver of the Golf followed George and gave police updates on his whereabouts, according to RCMP.
The man eventually came to a stop along Prince Road in View Royal "where he was surrounded by witnesses," police say.
The bystanders prevented George from leaving the scene until Mounties arrived.
"We want to thank the members of the public who alerted the police and prevented George from leaving the scene," said Insp. Stephen Rose, officer in charge of operations at West Shore RCMP, in a release Tuesday.
"Their brave actions no doubt prevented further harm from being caused," he said.
CRIMINAL HISTORY
George was arrested and appeared in court on Oct. 3. He has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a vehicle and failing to stop after reports of driving in a reckless manner.
Police say the 56-year-old is not a resident of the West Shore and has a "lengthy criminal record," including convictions for theft and failing to comply with conditions.
He is being held in custody until his next court appearance on Oct. 13.
Mounties say the investigation is still underway, and are reminding residents of the dangers in intervening in thefts.
"It is important to reflect on how dangerous car thefts can be, in this case the owner of the vehicle sustained injuries while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen," said Rose.
"If you find yourself in a similar situation, please find your way to safe place and call police for help," he said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.