Surrey RCMP have arrested and charged a man that allegedly fled police while driving a stolen SUV.
Police describe the incident as a dramatic chase that involved a helicopter.
Kyle Robert Davies, 19, of no fixed address faces several charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, possession of tools for breaking into a vehicle, driving while prohibited and breach of probation.
The incident he is charged in connection to took place on March 2, when Delta Police received a report of a family vehicle stolen from a residence in the 8700-block of Delwood Drive.
Police say the SUV, a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder, was bought new by the family and held sentimental value.
A week later, on March 9, police received a call from a friend of the family at 8:30 a.m. that the SUV was spotted near 124th Street and Old Yale Road in Surrey.
Surrey RCMP’s Auto Crime Target Team was sent to the area and found the vehicle near 108th Avenue and 132nd Street.
A police helicopter was called in.
Surrey RCMP says the SUV was being driven “erratically,” forcing other vehicles off the road.
The suspect abandoned the vehicle and hid in a residence in the 13700-block of Bentley Road, police say.
Davies was then arrested, who was allegedly behind the wheel of the SUV.
“Contrary to popular belief, when an auto thief is caught they are rarely charged with a singular offense,” said Corporal Scotty Schumann in a release. “Property crime is largely driven by auto crime and stolen vehicles are often the starting point for further crimes and much larger investigations. ACTT routinely works with a number of local and integrated policing partners focused on auto crime like IMPACT and Air 1. Thanks to the quick action on behalf of the family friend we were able to return this SUV to the family.”
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