Man wanted after committing Island-wide 'crime spree' in stolen truck, RCMP say
Mounties in several jurisdictions on Vancouver Island are looking for a man suspected of a string of thefts and break-ins that have taken place over the last two weeks.
The series of incidents began in Deep Bay on June 11, according to a news release from Oceanside RCMP, the detachment that serves Parksville and several other communities north of Nanaimo.
Around 6 p.m. that day, a tan Chevy Silverado pickup truck was stolen from the 300 block of Crome Point Road in Deep Bay, according to police, who added that theft wasn't reported until the following day.
In the meantime, just before 8 p.m. on June 11, police received a report of a break-in at a paint store in Qualicum Beach. The truck seen leaving the scene matches the description of the one that had been stolen, police said.
On June 15, Ladysmith RCMP received a report of a hit-and-run crash at a local hardware store. The collision happened just after 11 a.m. and damaged two vehicles, and RCMP say the truck involved in the crash again matched the description of the one that had been stolen in Deep Bay.
Also on June 15, North Cowichan RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle in a parking lot in the 2800 block of Mill Street in Chemainus. One of the items stolen was a credit card, which was used at a gas station in the village, police said.
Finally, on June 16, a Lake Cowichan RCMP officer spotted the truck in the 10000 block of Youbou Road in Youbou. The officer noticed that the truck's licence plate was partially obscured by spray paint, which was suspicious, police said.
After checking on the truck and learning it was stolen, the officer attempted to arrest the man by entering the passenger side of the truck. The man evaded the officer and fled on foot, according to RCMP.
A police service dog was called in to help track the man in the forest he had run into, but officers were unable to find him.
Police describe the suspect as a white man with a thin build and short hair. He stands roughly 5'8" tall and was last seen wearing a green Element t-shirt, camouflage-coloured shorts, black socks, white running shoes, a Hockey Canada baseball cap, a bandana over his face and aviator sunglasses.
Anyone who has information about any of the incidents or can help police identify the man should call the Oceanside RCMP detachment at 250-248-6111, police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.