Police say alleged car thieves arrested after 'dangerous' chase in downtown Montreal
Montreal police have arrested three alleged car thieves, including one who drove a BMW on a sidewalk and struck an officer with their vehicle while leading police on a wild and "dangerous" chase downtown last month.
The intervention started just before 2 p.m. on April 7 when police got a tip about a stolen vehicle on Stanley Street. When officers arrived, there were four suspect vehicles near the intersection with Sherbrooke Street.
One of the officers approached the black BMW to speak to the driver.
"Rather than obey the officer's orders, the suspect allegedly hit him with his vehicle as he fled. He then drove onto the sidewalk and drove north in the opposite direction to escape the officers," police said in a news release on Friday.
The three other suspect vehicles sped away from the officers "performing several other dangerous manoeuvres" in the presence of multiple pedestrians at the busy intersection, according to police.
Three of the four suspects were arrested in recent days. An 18-year-old man was arrested at a home downtown where officers found tools used to steal vehicles.
On Wednesday evening, two other suspects, men aged 20 and 25, were arrested at an apartment in Outremont with the help of a police tactical team "due to the level of risk they presented." More vehicle theft tools were found in the home.
Two of the people arrested appeared in court on several charges, including auto theft, receiving stolen property, fleeing the scene of a crime, and dangerous driving. The driver who allegedly struck the police officer with his car faces an additional charge of assault with a weapon, while the third suspect was released under strict conditions.
A fourth suspect is still being sought by police, who believe all four individuals are responsible for other recent vehicle thefts on the Island of Montreal.
According to statistics recently provided to CTV News, less than half of stolen vehicles in Montreal are recovered by police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.