Bonavista RCMP officer struck by stolen vehicle fleeing traffic stop

Bonavista RCMP has laid multiple charges, including assault on a police officer with a weapon, against 44-year-old Travis Ricketts of King’s Cove. Ricketts is connected to a string of property and violent crimes, including a flight from police that resulted in an officer being struck by a motor vehicle early Tuesday morning.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday September 2, 2025, officers with Bonavista RCMP attempted to stop a stolen vehicle that was spotted parked in a driveway in Upper Amherst Cove. The operator fled from police, striking an officer with his vehicle. The officer was not seriously injured.

A second traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle failed to stop for police. In the interest of public safety, the officers did not continue the pursuit.

The stolen vehicle was later located, abandoned, in Knight’s Cove and was seized by police.

Ricketts was identified by investigators as the operator of the stolen vehicle. He was located by police just before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and taken into custody without further incident.

Ricketts faces the following criminal charges related to the events that unfolded on September 2:

Assault on a police officer with a weapon,

Flight from police – 3 counts,

Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

Ricketts also faces charges of break and enter (two counts) and possession of break-in instruments in relation to a break and enter at a local restaurant on September 1, 2025.