UPDATE:
Following a four hour manhunt for the outstanding suspect in an earlier violent incident with RCMP, police are now suspending their search efforts, and allowing displaced residents to return to their homes. A police presence will be remain in the affected area this evening.
A heavy police response to the area of Finlayson Arm Road near Falcon Heights in Langford this afternoon followed an earlier interaction with a suspect who is alleged to have attempted to run over several police officers in a stolen vehicle, while avoiding officer’s attempts to conduct a roadside stop. Additional local and regional RCMP resources responded, including multiple RCMP Police Dog units, an RCMP helicopter, the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), and uniformed officers.
Despite an exhaustive search on both the ground and in the air, the
suspect was not located. The ongoing efforts of the West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit have led to the suspect being identified through other means. He cannot be named at this time, as no charges or warrants have been laid/issued. The suspect is well known to police in the Capital Region.
Armed with the suspect’s identity, officers are actively pursuing other avenues to locate and arrest him. There is no indication that he poses a risk to public safety at this time.
“I’d like to acknowledge the support and cooperation we received from the community affected by our response to this incident”, states S/Sgt. Steve Wright, acting Commander of the West Shore RCMP. “The significant police response seen today, while unnerving for some, was necessary to ensure we made every effort to locate this suspect, while ensuring public safety.”
Preliminary investigative findings suggest that the suspect attempted to hit officers with the stolen vehicle he was driving. A firearm, believed to be stolen, has also been seized as part of this
investigation. Preliminary information indicates an officer discharged
their firearm during the interaction with the suspect, though there are no known injuries to anyone involved. Details of the interaction between the police officers and the suspects at the initial scene remain under examination.
The assistance of the media in informing the public during this
evolving situation is appreciated.
Anyone who observes any suspicious activity in this area is urged to
call 9-1-1 immediately.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A manhunt is ongoing in the Finlayson Arm and Falcon Heights Roads area near the Malahat after the alleged driver of a stolen vehicle fled the scene on foot.
Westshore RCMP say they attempted to stop a vehicle in that area around noon on Friday, related to a car theft earlier in Sooke, but the people in the car fled the scene before crashing a short distance later.
Police say one suspect was arrested after the crash, while the alleged driver ran away.
RCMP say the suspect on the loose attempted to hit officers with the vehicle he was driving and that a gun may have been fired by a police officer at the scene.
The suspect is described as a white male, in his late 20’s to early 30’s, approximately five-foot-eight inches tall, thin build and he is wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt
Police are asking anyone in the area of Finlayson Arm Road and Falcon Heights to remain indoors, and report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately.
