It was an example of how unpredictable and dangerous policing can be. On Wednesday, September 22nd, members of the Regina Police Service arrested and charged a 16 year-old male youth in connection with a stolen vehicle. But not before officers were almost struck by the suspect vehicle.
On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at about 12:30 a.m., a constable in the Canine Unit was driving northbound on Broad Street, nearing 15th Avenue, when he saw a vehicle coming from the opposite direction at what was described as an extremely high rate of speed. The officer turned to follow and got the license plate number. The vehicle, a red Hyundai Elantra, was a stolen auto. The vehicle slowed, then turned west into a dead-end lane in the 2400 block of Broad Street. In the moments that followed, police vehicles entered the lane, leaving room for the suspect vehicle to exit. As police tried to communicate with the suspect, instructing him to stop and exit the vehicle, the driver began a series of erratic driving manoeuvres, almost hitting an officer on foot, and eventually striking one police vehicle. Officers were able to immobilize the suspect vehicle and get the suspect out of the car. The driver was a young person. After further investigation, he was charged.
The youth cannot be named in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is charged with:
- 2 X Assault peace officer with a weapon (the vehicle), [270.01(1)(a) CC];
- Dangerous driving, [320.13(1) CC];
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, [355(a) CC];
- Resist peace officer, [129(a) CC];
- Operate conveyance while prohibited from doing so, [320.18(a) CC];
- Breach of release order, 145(5)(a) CC]; and
- Fail to comply with disposition, [137 YCJA].
The youth made his first court appearance on these charges in Youth Court at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
