A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a series of crimes that occurred in Richmond and Vancouver.
Shortly before 8:00 this morning, a grey Acura was stolen in Richmond. Soon after the vehicle was stolen it was involved in a road rage incident where the driver allegedly produced and pointed a firearm. The vehicle was later involved in a series of incidents in Vancouver.
The first occurred at about 11:30 near Glen Drive and Terminal Avenue. The driver of the stolen car allegedly tried to steal a purse off the shoulder of a 19-year-old woman. A struggle occurred and the suspect drove away without the purse.
The second happened at 12:15 on Vancouver’s west side near 18th Avenue and Laurel Street. A man driving the stolen Acura reportedly pointed a gun at a 34-year-old woman and robbed the victim of her purse.
None of the victims were physically injured.
A half hour later, VPD officers spotted the stolen car in the parking lot of Kingsgate Mall. The driver rammed the police car and drove away at a high rate of speed. The police helicopter kept watch from above as the suspect drove from the mall to the intersection of Quebec Street and First Avenue. Emergency Response Team members pinned the stolen car and took the driver into custody.
Officers located a purse and weapon in the vehicle. The man behind the wheel was taken to hospital for a medical assessment before being transported to the Vancouver jail.
Investigators are expected to recommend multiple criminal charges.
