Man facing list of charges after damaging multiple vehicles in Carbonear

The RCMP arrested 28-year-old Adam Douglas Whalen after he fled from the RCMP on Friday, February 9, and rammed two marked police vehicles.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m., the police received a report of a disturbance in Carbonear involving damage to a home and a vehicle that was parked on the property. Police learned that Whalen intentionally drove into the parked vehicle and fled the scene in an SUV.

The SUV was located a short time later in Carbonear and police initiated a traffic stop. The patrol vehicle was rammed by the SUV which then fled at a high rate of speed. Officers set up several roadblocks in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

The SUV came upon a roadblock and increased its speed when approaching the parked patrol vehicle. The officer moved the patrol vehicle to avoid being struck.

At another roadblock, police deployed a spike belt. To avoid the spike belt, the SUV reversed at a high rate of speed and rammed the patrol vehicle, causing significant damage and minor injuries to the two officers inside. A tire of the SUV was punctured by the spike belt.

In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicle.

The SUV was located abandoned a short time later in a gated commercial parking lot. The gate was struck by the vehicle upon entry. The SUV was confirmed to be that of a stolen vehicle reported to the RNC in St. John’s.

Later in the evening, Whalen, who is currently under multiple driving prohibition orders, was located and arrested. He attended court over the weekend via teleconference and was remanded into custody.

Whalen is charged with:

• Flight from police

• Assaulting a police officer with a weapon – three counts

• Assault with a weapon

• Prohibited operation of a motor vehicle

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

• Failure to remain at the scene of an accident – two counts

The investigation is continuing.