A Delta man was to appear in court today (Tuesday) on multiple charges, including robbery and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, in connection with a single-vehicle collision in South Surrey last week that knocked out power to more than 4,000 area residents.
The collision occurred on 40 Avenue, just east of King George Boulevard shortly after midnight Feb. 7.
Events that led to it began about seven hours earlier in Langley, when police with that city's Street Enforcement Unit took note of a Ford truck that had two fuel containers in its box.
According to police, the vehicle was tracked to Richmond, where a man and woman were seen exiting the truck, entering a warehouse and then leaving the area towing a boat and trailer.
When Richmond RCMP approached, the truck driver reversed into a parked vehicle, evaded the police car and fled.
A short pursuit ensued, but was terminated in favour of more covert surveillance that monitored the truck as it was driven southbound on Highway 99, and north onto King George Boulevard.
The crash occurred as the truck driver attempted an eastbound turn onto 40 Avenue. The truck struck a hydro pole, knocking it down and leaving thousands of area residents in the dark. The road was closed to traffic for several hours while the damage was repaired.
Police officers who arrived on the scene shortly after the crash took a female passenger into custody without incident. The driver, however, was nowhere to be found.
Police were alerted soon after by Coast Mountain officials that one of their buses had been flagged down not far from the collision scene by a man covered in mud. When Richmond RCMP stopped the bus, the driver appeared to be under attack by a man sitting on top of him.
It's alleged the assailant was trying to steal the bus.
One man was arrested; the truck and boat from the earlier crash were both determined stolen.
In addition to Langley and Richmond RCMP, two dog-handler teams from the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service were involved in the investigation.
Troy Michael Regnier, 27, is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, drive while disqualified, drive while prohibited, flight from a peace officer, robbery, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and two additional counts of possession of stolen property.