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UPDATE: West Shore suspect arrested after ambulance support vehicle stolen in Ucluelet

Police make several attempts to stop suspect travelling between Sooke, Ladysmith
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The West Shore RCMP is asking the public for more information on this man, who is a suspect in multiple theft investigations. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

A suspect police considered armed and dangerous has been arrested.

West Shore RCMP received a report around 9 a.m. on July 19 that a man suspected of being in possession of a stolen vehicle was seen driving a 2010 black Dodge Caravan with B.C. plate EJ5 05R in the area of Admirals and Craigflower roads in View Royal.

The van was reported stolen from a View Royal residence later that day.

Police located the vehicle travelling between Sooke and Ladysmith and made several attempts to stop it between 7 and 9:30 p.m. that evening, however, the driver did not stop for police.

In an initial release, West Shore RCMP said the suspect may be armed and dangerous and asked the public not to approach the vehicle or driver.

On July 20, the vehicle was reported to have been part of several investigations in the Sooke area, including one where a person uttered threats, as well as multiple break and enters, one of which involved the theft of a firearm.

Photos of a male suspect were released on July 21. Police identified the man by the next day but were still searching for him.

In a July 24 update, West Shore RCMP said the man had been found, arrested and remained in police custody.

On Monday, police confirmed the suspect was the same man who had been sought by Port Alberni RCMP on July 22 after reports of a suspicious man driving a B.C. Ambulance Service support vehicle west of Port Alberni.

B.C. Ambulance Service confirmed the vehicle had been stolen on July 21 in Ucluelet.

The vehicle was found abandoned west of Port Alberni on July 22 and officers found and arrested the suspect later that day. He was held in custody awaiting a bail hearing for multiple charges from communities across the Island.

READ MORE: Weapons and thousands of suspected drug doses seized by West Shore RCMP


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