During the early morning hours of April 20, a Comox Valley RCMP constable located a stolen vehicle on the 300 block of Lerwick Road, in Courtenay. As the member approached the vehicle, it sped off in a dangerous manner. The vehicle was located a short distance away, crashed into a tree. The driver had fled the scene, however, a wallet with ID and a loaded firearm was located in the vehicle.
The investigation continued into the late afternoon with the assistance of the Comox Valley RCMP Crime Reduction Unit. The driver was identified and located. After a short foot chase, the driver was arrested by Comox Valley RCMP’s detachment commander, Insp. Tim Walton.
A 29-year-old Saanich resident, Joshua Flagg, was held for court and made his first court appearance on April 25. Flagg faces 11 charges, including two counts of obstruction of a police officer; possession of a firearm; possession of a restricted, loaded firearm; possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm in a vehicle; possession of stolen property; dDangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and; four counts of breach of recognizance.
“Having a vehicle flee from us at high rates of speed is extremely dangerous, it is lucky no one was injured during this incident,” stated Const. Rob Gardner. “It is great to see our sections working together, getting results and ensuring the age old adage that we always get our man is being upheld. The moral of this story would be don’t run from the police, you will be caught and the Inspector may be the one who arrests you.”