Man charged after stolen vehicle strikes police cruiser in St. John’s

A 36-year-old man faces multiple charges after police say a stolen vehicle struck a police cruiser during an incident in St. John’s on Tuesday morning.

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers attempted to stop the vehicle around 8:50 a.m. on Oct. 6 in the area of Blackmarsh Road. Police say the driver refused to stop.

Officers did not pursue the vehicle due to public safety concerns but continued to monitor it from a distance.

The vehicle later stopped on the Team Gushue Highway off-ramp, where police say the driver accelerated backward and struck a police vehicle.

Officers approached the stationary vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused to get out. Police forced entry into the vehicle and arrested him.

A 31-year-old female passenger attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended following a foot pursuit.

Police determined during the investigation that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

The male driver was taken to Provincial Court and charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance, resisting arrest, assaulting a peace officer, possessing property obtained by crime and flight from a peace officer. Police also issued numerous summary offence tickets and seized the vehicle.

The female was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. She faces charges of possessing property obtained by crime and resisting arrest.